The game wasn't as close as the score-line would suggest and on another night United would have scored six or seven.
This was also despite one of the more inept refereeing displays from local whistler Eddie Ferguson.
Paul Owens had twice put the Roesiders ahead only for goals from James Wright and Kris Pike to level things up. Teenager Shane Jennings grabbed the winner late in the game.
United took an early lead in just the fourth minute. Michael Walsh picked put the run of Owens and the midfielder made no mistake firing home.
The home side almost doubled their lead three minutes later. Peter Spratt's effort was just over the bar with Andy McDonald routed to his spot.
In the 11th minute Jennings cleverly nicked the ball from James Wilson but the striker dragged his shot wide of the goal.
With 20 minutes gone Limavady were denied a blatant penalty when Paul Nixon deflected the ball with his hand.
Only a minute later the Roesiders thought they had doubled their lead. However Owens vicious in-swinging free-kick was headed off the line.
Shortly after midfielder Spratt thought he had picked out the bottom corner but somehow McDonald managed to get a hand on it.
Totally against the run of play Ards got themselves back into the game. Wright picking out the top corner with a free-kick although Michael Doherty will be disappointed with his placement.
Six minutes later and United were back in front. This time Owens curled a wonderful free-kick up and over the wall and into the bottom corner for his seventeenth of the season.
The home side started the second half almost like the first but David Patton's turn and shot was just over the bar.
Patton had another chance in the 56th minute when he chested down Gareth McConaghie's free-kick but volleyed over the bar.
Two minutes later Ards again got themselves back into the game this time in controversial circumstances. Damian McNulty was adjudged to have fouled Darren Armour, although it looked like a dive from the striker, and Pike dispatched the penalty.
In the 65th minute Patton released Jennings with a neat flick but the strikers early shot was saved.
Just a minute later the Ballycastle lad had another chance but although his chip cleared the 'keeper it didn't drop below the bar.
In the 83rd minute Spratt thought he had won it for United but Jennings inadvertently blocked his shot on the line.
Sixty seconds later Jennings made amends however when he powered home a header from a beautiful Owens cross.
He almost grabbed another near the final whistle but McDonald made a great save from his downward header.
Limavady United: Doherty, Walsh, Rodden, McConaghie, McNulty, Patrick, Owens, Spratt, Jennings, Patton, Clarke.
Subs: Neill, McKeever, Tommons & McGraw (Unused)
Ards: McDonald, Dixon, Pike, Wilson, Wright, Spence, Nixon, McMillen, McKee, Stirling, Armour.
Subs: Picking for Dixon (64mins), Doyle for Stirling (74mins), McIlhagga for Wright (82mins), Gorman & Cully (Unused).
Referee: Eddie Ferguson (Coleraine).
Cautioned: Armour (13mins), Spratt (57mins), McNulty (58mins), Nixon (74mins), Wilson (78mins), McKee (82mins).