Ballymena United produced a stunning fightback to stall Cliftonville’s title charge near the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.
A superb Jamie McDonagh double in the 18th and 80th minutes had fired the Reds into what seemed an unassailable lead at the Showgrounds.
But the Sky Blues hit back with two goals in four breathless minutes near the end through captain Leroy Millar and a Paul McElroy penalty in added time.
Millar bundled home in the 88th minute and in the 92nd minute referee Lee Tavinder pointed to the spot after Chris Gallagher appeared to block a Conor Keeley effort with his arm.
Paul McElroy, only on the pitch a handful of minutes after coming on for Steven McCullough late on, stepped up to fire the resulting penalty past Luke McNicholas.
McDonagh had opened the scoring for Cliftonville early doors when he rifled home a ‘worldie’ of a volley from the edge of the area from a half-cleared Levi Ives corner.
And he thought he had put the game to bed in the 80th minute when he held off a couple of challenges to steer a low shot past United keeper Ciaran Gallagher.
A victory would have edged Cliftonville to within two points off the summit, but this result leaves them four points behind leaders Linfield who travel to Coleraine on Saturday.
