Jim Ervin wants Ballymena United to keep fighting spirit at the forefront

Larne's Andy Ryan takes a tumble under the close attentions of Scot Whiteside

Mark Randall skips past Ballymena's Donal Rocks

Dylan Boyle closes in on Larne's Leroy Millar

Ballymena striker Noah Stewart is shackled by Shaun Want

Ballymena's Donal Rocks battles with Larne counterpart Jaziel Orozco

BALLYMENA UNITED boss Jim Ervin has challenged his players to produce the sort of form which saw them pick up a point against Larne on a regular basis.

United brought a halt to their poor recent form with a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Showgrounds.

Before Sarturday’s clash, they were on a run of four defeats in a row, including 4-0 and 5-0 losses away to Glentoran and Linfield. However, they proved much harder to break down on their own patch against the Champions.

Mark Randall skips past Ballymena's Donal Rocks

Ervin was delighted with the point, which kept them off bottom spot and moved them a step closer to Dungannon in 10th place.

The Braid boss now wants them to use it as a springboard to build a run of form which can help them to climb the table.

“I’ve told the players that we need to play at that level every week,” he said.

“You can’t pick and choose when you do it, or just do it at home or against the top sides. You have to do it every week.

“We will now need to put that level of performance in and more when we play Newry on Friday.”

Dylan Boyle closes in on Larne's Leroy Millar

That encounter takes on extra significance as the bottom two sides meet, with both knowing there is little margin for error.

When asked if it’s too early for six-pointer, Ervin said: “I would say so, yes.

“There’s still a lot of football to be played. Results over the last few weeks have shown that on their day anyone can take points off anyone