It was a day of torrential rain and wild weather at The Millbridge.
It took 10 minutes for Shorts to take the lead after getting on the end of a corner kick.
Both teams battled against the elements and each other but it was Shorts who scored again.
Ballynahinch pulled one back when Kyle Spindlow slotted home a penalty for his first goal for the club. And it remained 2-1 until the break with Adrian Mee influential in defence.
In the second half, United were up against the howling wind. And despite the scrappy conditions, both teams attempted to play football on the slick surface.
Early in the second half, Shorts were awarded a penalty in dubious circumstances where Tom Nelson looked to have won the ball cleanly. Shorts scored from the spot kick.
With conditions worsening, the wind getting stronger and United desperate to reduce the deficit, Shorts took advantage of the space in the home side’s defence, with two more goals before the full time whistle.
It was a tough afternoon for both teams, made more difficult for United who were without manager Kyle Rendall due to a family bereavement, which, disappointingly, Shorts refused to allow the match to be postponed.
Man of the Match: Adrien Mee
Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Charlie Parkinson, Simon Johnston, John McMenamin, Adrien Mee, Kyle Spindlow (Calum Greene), Ben Maxwell (Kyle Steenson), Thomas Rodgers, Tom Nelson, Louis Boyd, Glenn Bennett (Ian McMullan)