Coleraine fend off Ballymena to remain joint leaders
Coleraine remain deadlocked with Crusaders at the summit of the Danske Bank Premiership after Saturday’s narrow victory over derby rivals Ballymena United.
The result means the sides are level at the top of the table on 87 points.
Darren McCauley’s solo strike in the second-half was enough to secure all three points for Oran Kearney’s side.
The Bannsiders started the brighter of the sides and could have gone ahead early in the first-half after Jamie McGonigle forced Ross Glendinning into a save in the opening minutes.
Moments later Eoin Bradley threatened however his rasping effort was tipped over the crossbar by Glendinning.
Ballymena huffed and puffed in the first-half with Matthew Shevlin and Cathair Friel finding it difficult against Coleraine’s resolute defending.
Lyndon Kane and Darren McCauley threatened for the Bannsiders before the interval but the pair failed to find the back of the net.
With half-time looming both sides looked flat in their respective performances. United failed to trouble Chris John’s in the Coleraine goal whilst the Bannsiders squandered a number of chances much to the dismay of the home support.
Both sides came out firing in the second-half eager to grab the bragging rights but it was Coleraine who grabbed the lead.
Darren McCauley put Oran Keraney’s side ahead on 58 minutes. The winger was rewarded for his great solo run as he found the bottom corner with a low strike from 25 yards.
Aaron Traynor and Josh Carson had further efforts to extend Coleraine’s lead in the second-half with both firing over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.
However, it was not all glorious for the Stripes as Josh Carson was shown a straight red card after a dangerous tackle on Willie Faulkner. Carson looks set to miss the remainder of the season should he be given a three match ban.
Ballymena looked to spoil the party via Tony Kane as the midfielder was granted a chance from a set piece. Luckily for Coleraine his attempt drifted into the side netting.
David Jeffrey’s side looked to have levelled right at the death however Stephen McAlorum was denied by a tremendous save from Johns.
The result means that both Crusaders and Coleraine remain at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership locked level on 87 points with. Crusaders shade it on goal difference however, with just 2 games remaining in the Danske Bank Premiership the title race looks set to go down to the wire.
COLERAINE FC: Johns, Kane, Harkin, McCauley, Bradley (Burns ’66), Carson, McConaghie, O’Donnell, Traynor, McGonigle (Parkhill ’75), Dooley
Subs not used: Mullan, Douglas, Smith
BALLYMENA UNITED: Glendinning, Kane, Owens, McAlorum, Friel, Braniff (Millar ’76), Burns (Flynn ’63), Shevlin, Ervin, McCaffrey (Faulkner ’64), Quigley
Subs not used: Flynn, Faulkner, Millar, McCracken, Nola