Ballynahinch United started life without Kyle Rendall with Mark Leahy taking interim charge, but found themselves behind within seconds of kick-off with a slow start that gave Saintfield the lead in the local derby.
Undetermined Ballynahinch battle back and played the better football with Adrien Mee outstanding in midfield, however, things were made more difficult when Chris Coleman was dismissed after 15 minutes for dissent with a double booking.
Ballynahinch reshuffled and still remained the better team despite the man disadvantage and were unfortunate not to find an equaliser before the break.
The away side remained on top but Saintfield had started to get a better foothold in the second half. With Ballynahinch pushing forward, Saintfield extended their lead twice more with two swift counter attacks.
The home side completed the scoring in the final minutes, a scoreline that reads harshly for Ballynahinch United compared to the performance.
Mark Leahy (junior) came off the bench for his first team debut, while Ben Sullivan also made his debut after transferring from Killyleagh.
Man of the Match: Adrien Mee
Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Thomas Rodgers (Ethan Perkins), Charlie Parkinson, Chris Coleman, John McMenamin, Tom Nelson, Glenn Moffett, Adrian Mee, Glenn Bennett (Mark Leahy), Ben Sullivan (Diarmuid Lavery), Ross Murray.
Swifts 0 – 2 Ballynahinch Olympic Town
At The Millbridge, the Swifts fell behind moments before half-time to rivals, Ballynahinch Olympic Town.
Gareth Bingham controlled the game in midfield for the home team but couldn’t force an equaliser.
Olympic added to their lead again in the 87th minute to secure the win.
On a positive, it was good to see Ben Wilson and Justin Herbert return after injury, while Michael also returned to the fray after paternity leave.
Man of the Match: Gareth Bingham
Line up: Michael Vladeanu, Ryan Rooney, Stephen McNair, Kyle Nelson (Pearse Irvine), Greg Blunt [C], Gareth Bingham, Callum Greene, Ben Wilson (Conor McVarnock), Leo Elliott, Jake Emerson (Anthony Greene), Justin Herbert.
Dundrum United II 3 – 3 Albion
Meanwhile, the Albion faced Dundrum United II away, Luke Craig equalised before half-time after an early Dundrum goal. Lee Maxwell equalised twice more from the spot to come away with point in an entertaining 3 – 3 draw.
Man of the Match: Lee Maxwell
Line up: Lewis Roy, Roy Shilliday, Alan Dickson, Keith Hamilton, Scott Brashaw [C], Liam Rodgers (Harry Brown), Matthew Lindsay (Matthew Douglas), John Stevenson, Lee Maxwell, Luke Craig, Will McNeill.