Early Donal Rocks goals gives Ballymena United slender victory over Ards

Ballymena United squeezed past Ards 1-0 at the Warden Street Showgrounds to march on in the BetMcLean Cup.

Donal Rocks’ early finish fired Jim Ervin’s side into the quarter-finals.

United players went into the Cup tie smarting from Premiership defeats to Crusaders and Portadown.

Those losses were a shock to the system after eight league victories on the bounce.

Ards must have sensed an upset was possible after the Sky Blues’ confidence took a battering in their 3-0 home defeat to the Ports.

Ervin apologised to the supporters after his side’s sudden slump in form.

In the BetMcLean Cup, they had already survived a scare, needing a penalty shootout to see off a spirited Rathfriland Rangers side on penalties in the previous round.

An early goal was needed to settle nerves and it was delivered by Donal Rocks in the 14th minute.

The visitors had managed to force a few comers but failed to land a blow on their Premiership opponents.

Ards created a few opportunities but couldn’t unlock the home defence.

United’s next mission is a daunting one as they visit league leaders Linfield on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Championship side Annagh United won their second-round tie against Queen’s University 2-0.

The Premier Intermediate side put up a fight but just couldn’t pass the test.

Kenny Ximenes was on target on 17 minutes and Jack Hastings doubled his side’s lead on 67 minutes.

Larne, who are in European action later this week, travel to Institute on Tuesday, November 19 while the Big Two derby is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3.

The draw for the last eight, and the semi-finals, takes place on Wednesday.