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David Cushley scored both goals as Ballymena came back from 2-0 down to salvage a point against Linfield.

Matthew Tipton put the Blues ahead on 21 minutes, firing in from close range after his first effort was blocked.

Brian McCaul touched the ball home from a Philip Lowry cross after 61 minutes but Cushley shot in with his right foot from the edge of the box on 71 minutes.

Cushley slid in a low shot to level in the 83rd minute after a poor back-pass by Robert Garrett opened up the chance.

David Jeffrey's outfit went into the game hoping to secure their sixth league win in a row but it was the visitors who had the better of the early chances.

Gary Liggett had a low shot well gathered by Ross Glendinning and the former Whites forward also shot wide.

Tipton met Jamie Mulgrew's ball from the left to score his ninth goal of the season at the second time of asking.

Lowry and Billy Joe Burns both hit the woodwork within a 30-second period, while Sky Blues winger Alan Teggart forced Glendinning into a fine double save.

Teggart began the second half in the same vein, shooting just wide after a mazy run.

Lowry provided the cross for Blues' top-scorer McCaul to nip in and claim his 17th goal of the season.

Cushley's first goal went in off the post to give United hope and the winger confidently struck home the equaliser after outpacing a couple of Linfield defenders.

Teggart had a late opportunity to steal all three points but the former Portadown player was denied by Glendinning.