The Roesiders were dealt a heavy blow after a quarter-of-an-hour when Doherty was shown off after handling the ball outside the area.

From the resultant free-kick Duwayne McManus sent a well executed shot past stand-in 'keeper Stephen Kelly.

But the league leaders hit back on 33 minutes through substitute Peter Spratt when he headed over Trevor Morrison after meeting a Gareth McConaghie delivery to the back post.

And they might have moved in front five minutes from the break when Vincent Sweeney scored only for his 'goal' to be ruled out offside.

However, Limavady did take the lead on the stroke of half-time through Declan McKeever who surged forward out of defence to take the ball past Mark McConkey before side-footing into the bottom corner.

They extended their lead with 15 minutes remaining through Sweeney who collected a Stephen Lowry ball from the left to send a shot beyond 'keeper Morrison.

Andy Crawford pulled a goal back for Ballinamallard towards the end but it wasn't enough to spark what would have been a dramatic conclusion to any already gripping encounter.