The Reds opened the scoring after 14 minutes through Mark Holland who headed home a Francis Murphy cross from the left after United 'keeper Alan Blayney hesitated before coming for it.

And it was 2-0 on 29 minutes when Blayney could only parry another Holland effort as far as Chris Scannell who duly converted for his 18th goal of the season.

Ballymena pulled one back, though, a minute from the break through Michael Ward who finished past John Connolly after a deft left foot delivery from David Cushley.

But Cliftonville sealed the points on 63 minutes when Murphy grabbed their third by running onto a Barry Johnston ball over the defence to knock it past Blayney.