Coleraine beat Crusaders to win League Cup for first time since '87

Coleraine came from behind to beat Crusaders 2-1 and win the Bet McLean League Cup for the first time in more than 30 years.

Former Bannsiders striker Jamie McGonigle had given the Belfast club an early lead in the final at Windsor Park, before Stephen Lowry's penalty levelled things at the break.

Coleraine then scored the decisive second goal in the 52nd minute through James McLaughlin to complete the comeback and ensure a second major trophy for Oran Kearney.

Their recovery came as something of a contrast to how they had started the game; the opening goal was the result of an error from Bannsiders keeper Chris Johns as his 10th minute kick fell short, allowing Declan Caddell to nod a first time pass in behind the flat-footed Coleraine defence to send Jamie McGonigle clear through on goal.

The former Bannsiders striker hammered a 15-yard left-footed half volley past Johns, punishing his error as McGonigle scored his 21st goal of the season.

The Bannsiders' night quickly went from bad to worse in the 24th minute when Aaron Traynor was forced off injured, replaced by Aaron Jarvis. However, Kearney's side weren't put off by their indifferent start, and pulled level inside the first half from the penalty spot.

In the 36th minute, the lively Jamie Glackin was bundled over under a high ball into the Crues box and the ref awarded a penalty. Stephen Lowry stepped up to coolly roll the ball into the bottom corner to send the sides down the tunnel at the break on level terms.

It was only 7 minutes into the second half that Coleraine completed their comeback, taking the lead through James McLaughlin - although Crusaders clearly felt the goal shouldn't have stood.

Josh Carson whipped in a corner from the right which was punched by Crues keeper Sean O'Neill, but under severe pressure from several Coleraine players he could only send the ball upwards, and McLaughlin rose highest to turn it into the net from close range.

As Crusaders pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Coleraine waited to hit them on the counter. Ian Parkhill almost put the game to bed in the 75th mintue after being put through by Glackin, but his volley was well saved by O'Neill to keep his side in with a fighting chance.

The best chance of the dying period of the game dropped invitingly to McGonigle as the Crues pushed for an equaliser at the death, but he somehow blazed a 6-yard volley over the bar despite being unmarked. It proved to be a decisive miss, as they couldn't create another chance and Coleraine held on for an historic win.