Stephen Garrett opened the scoring for the visitors after 27 minutes when he knocked the ball past a couple of defenders following a Stephen Ferguson delivery down the right side.

United had the ball in the net around the half-hour mark when Michael Ward thought he had scored only for his 'goal' to be ruled out offside.

Ballymena might have levelled on 36 minutes, though, when they were awarded a penalty following a handball in the area but Newry 'keeper Andy Coleman did well to save Albert Watson's spot-kick with his feet.

The visitors came storming out of the blocks after the break, deservedly doubling their lead on 66 minutes courtesy of a Richard Clarke 12-yard finish after Chris Morgan had touched on a Paul Keenan cross from the right.

It was 3-0 just four minutes later when Kevin Keegan blasted past Alan Blayney from the edge of the area after being put clear by a Morgan back heel.

Ward almost pulled one back moments later for United, though, but his shot only succeeded in striking an upright.

Clarke then completed the scoring for Newry four minutes from time.