In a tense Irish Premiership clash at the Showgrounds, a missed penalty proved decisive as Ballymena United and Bangor fought to a 0-0 draw, a result that extends both sides' impressive unbeaten streaks.

Ballymena's Igor Rutkowski saw his fifth-minute spot-kick brilliantly saved by Bangor's Gareth Deane, a crucial early moment that set the tone for a gritty, defensive battle. That save marked Deane's seventh career penalty stop, showcasing the experience and reflexes that kept his side in the match.

The visitors, Bangor, also came agonizingly close early on, with Reece Neale's stretching effort cannoning off the post. The game's momentum shifted just after the hour mark when Bangor midfielder Oisin Devlin received a second yellow card, forcing his side to play the final half-hour with ten men.

Despite the numerical advantage, Ballymena couldn't find a way past the inspired Deane, who made further key stops from David Toure and Aaron Jarvis. The stalemate solidifies both teams' form, with Ballymena now unbeaten in six and Bangor avoiding defeat in four.

While the draw means neither can catch seventh-placed Carrick Rangers for the European play-off spot, both sides demonstrated the resilience and defensive solidity that defines a hard-fought league campaign, where every save and missed chance carries significant weight.