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Donegal Celtic remain without a win in this season's Premiership after they squandered a three-goal lead to draw against Ballymena United.

Mark Miskimmin and Ryan Deans hit DC goals in the opening 10 minutes.

The game appeared over with Sean Cleary's 42nd-minute strike but Allan Jenkins' penalty before the break gave Ballymena a glimmer of hope.

Johnny Taylor headed Ballymena's second goal on 60 and as the home side took control, Jamie Davidson levelled on 79.

Miskimmin poked Celtic ahead in the eighth minute with Ballymena players claiming that Ciaran Gargan had committed a foul prior to the goal.

Deans doubled DC's lead two minutes later after being set up by Miskimmin.

Davy Munster had a chance to pull a goal back for the home side but he was denied by DC keeper John Connolly while Gary Thompson also wasted two opportunities to open Ballymena's account.

The Braidmen looked set for a surprise home defeat when Cleary stuck out his left leg to divert in Celtic's third goal three minutes before half-time.

However, crucially, Jenkins replied for Ballymena from the spot on the stroke of half-time after keeper Connolly had been adjudged to have hauled down Thompson.

Ballymena improved after the break and the comeback was truly on when Taylor nodded home a Tony Kane corner on the hour.

Thompson missed a glorious chance to level on 69 when he somehow managed to head over the bar after Connolly had only parried a David Cushley free-kick.

However, the equaliser did come 10 minutes later as Davidson poked home after a goalmouth scramble.

Ballymena had chances to win it but struggling DC held on for a point.