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Coleraine remained level on points with Premiership leaders Cliftonville after a convincing derby win over Ballymena.

Darren Boyce got the first goal in the 40th minute, shooting in from David Scullion's ball into the goalmouth.

Michael Hegarty scored his first goal of the season and then Scullion stroked in Coleraine's third.

Curtis Allen had a penalty saved by Dwayne Nelson but the striker did get Coleraine's fourth after Gary Thompson had pulled one back for Ballymena.

The result keeps Oran Kearney's Bannsiders second on goal difference and drops Ballymena into the bottom half of the table.

The emphatic scoreline looked unlikely, though, in the early stages as Glenn Ferguson's United made a positive opening.

Jamie Davidson outpaced Coleraine skipper David Ogilby only to see his shot hit the crossbar.

Coleraine then went close with Howard Beverland's header, from Stephen Lowry's deep free-kick, also hitting the bar.

Boyce broke the deadlock by flicking in from seven yards after Scullion's delivery from the right wing.

It was a ball from Boyce which set up Hegarty for his fine finish in the box in the 56th minute.

Scullion made it 3-0 with a perfectly-placed shot which meant Allen's failure to convert the spot-kick, after Mark Gillan had been fouled, did not matter that much.

Former Distillery player Thompson blasted in a goal for Ballymena but Allen wrapped up the Bannsiders' victory near the end.