Jonte Smith and his Ballymena United teammates took on Linfield at Windsor Park.
Linfield striker Christy Manzinga fired home his 17th goal of the season to make the Blues odds-on favourites to be No1 at Christmas.
The champions had to wait for their winter winner against a resilient Ballymena United side who saw both Paul McElroy and Kenny Kane rattle the woodwork in the second-half.
Manzinga stole the headlines 13 minutes from time when he raced clear to finesse a close range shot over visiting keeper Jordan Williamson who was superb throughout.
