True defensive grit and a solitary strike from Francis Murphy were the ingredients of this excellent away victory.

The team led by a rock solid back-four had to defend against more than Ballymena in the second half as rain was driven down the pitch in a gale.

The Whites could have been two up inside the opening quarter. Darren Armour almost scored on 12 minutes but his close range shot hit keeper Paul Murphy.

Armour though made amends on 18 minutes, the ball was pushed wide to him on the right and he put a superb cross on to the head of Francis Murphy, who directed it past the outstretched arm of keeper Murphy.

Phil Matthews and Wayne Buchanan then kept the Whites in front.Buchanan blocked Kevin Kelbie's effort, the ball going back across the goal and Matthews (see photo below), somehow, kept it out.The danger though wasn't cleared, the ball falling to Aidan Watson, but a brave block by keeper and skipper, typical of the Whites resilience on the day, prevented an equaliser.

The rain came lashing down at the break, and although John Martin saw a header flash over, it was a case of defending the long ball and the elements. On 50 minutes Gareth McKeown headed Stuarat King's free-kick onto his cross-bar before the Whites kept United at bay.

Late on, Martin broke clear down the right and went past keeper Murphy virtually out on the near touch-line but although the keeper was out of goal, the danger was headed clear as Damien McLaughlin waited to pounce.

This was a day of 110% effort for the shirt and the Whites had bodies behind and in front of the ball and got three points for their endeavours. Reaction at the final whistle said it all, skipper Buchanan and his team-mates arms aloft, Whites fans on their feet - let's hope it goes on from here the way we know it can.