Steven McCullough has revealed how a half-time rollicking from manager David Jeffrey inspired Tuesday's Irish Cup heroics against Newry City.
Ballymena United edged past the Championship leaders to book their place in next week's showpiece final thanks to a moment of magic from McCullough.
It arrived in the 53rd minute, the midfielder curling a sublime free-kick into the top corner of the net to earn a 1-0 win at Mourneview Park.
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Ballymena will now meet Crusaders in the final on Saturday, May 7, and McCullough admits he has his boss to thank for helping drag them over the line in Tuesday's clash with Newry.
Jeffrey had some stern words with his players at half-time, following a turgid opening 45 minutes in Lurgan.
McCullough admits much of the manager's blast was aimed at himself.
"We had a bit of an argument," he told the BBC.
"We needed it because Newry started very well and were winning all the second balls whereas we didn't really start in the first half.
"I thought we were a bit better in the second half but it was a scrappy game. The pitch was awful, very sticky, but thankfully we got through. "
Asked what the half-time exchange was like, McCullough joked: "Not good.
"He says he is glad he shouted at me, it gave me a bit of a kick up the backside. It is one of those things, you need it sometimes. You need told off to lift you up a bit.
"I think I gave the ball away about four times in a row in the first half, going backwards when he wanted me to go forwards."
Jeffrey jokingly refused to elaborate on his half-time team talk, but did admit he had a "conversation" with McCullough.
"I will not give you the full version but, yes, I had a conversation with him at half-time," Jeffrey said.
"Yes, I gave him words of guidance and encouragement at half-time, and Steven responded accordingly which is always nice for a manager when the players do take on board what you are trying to say.
"Steven is a quality player and has had an awful time with injury. I have got to say that he worked his socks off and the goal that he scored was exquisite, it was ridiculously good.
"I said at the end to the players that if there was a player who epitomised what was good about our performance then it was Steven McCullough."
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