Ballymena United were awarded a penalty inside the opening five minutes after Mark Haughey brought down Rutkowski. The striker picked himself up but was unable to extend his previously flawless record from the penalty spot as Bangor keeper Deane dived to his right to push the effort away for his seventh career save from the spot. And Ballymena United's David Toure had a long range shot palmed away at full stretch by Deane. But the visitors also came close inside the opening 10 minutes as Iestyn Hughes unselfishly rolled the ball across the face of goal where the in-rushing Reece Neale could only divert the ball off the base of the post at full stretch. So Ballymena United tried to make their numerical advantage count after Bangor were reduced to 10 men. Bangor's Michael Morgan volleyed an effort into the ground with the ball bouncing up and landing on top of the Ballymena net as the visitors pressed for an opener. Ballymena United's Aaron Jarvis had a snap-shot diverted to safety by Deane. The match finished in a stalemate despite Ballymena United's best efforts to capitalize on their numerical advantage.