Honours even between Coleraine and Ballymena
The visitors started the brighter at The Showgrounds as Tony Kane and Conor McCloskey threatened in the opening few minutes for the Sky Blues.
By Aaron O’Neill
The Bannsiders had a chance of their own when as Gareth McConaghie fired his volley towards goal but he failed to trouble Ross Glendinning.
Moments later Jamie McGonigle raced through on goal after an error from Kyle Owens but the striker’s effort was saved by Glendinning.
Ballymena had a golden opportunity to gain the advantage after 21 minutes. Jonny McMurray’s pinpoint cross found the head of Gary Thompson inside the 6 yard box but the midfielder’s weak header was easily held by Chris Johns.
Kyle Owens should have given David Jeffrey’s side the lead on the half hour mark in what was arguably the best chance of the game. The defender met Kane’s corner but his header flashed wide.
Ballymena appealed for a penalty as McCloskey went down inside the area but referee Arnold Hunter waved away the shouts from the travelling support.
Jonny McMurray had the ball in the net on 36 minutes however the referee ruled out the attempt for offside.
Coleraine weathered the storm and gained the advantage on 40 minutes. Jamie McGonigle beat Kyle Owens for pace before coolly slotting past Glendinning in the Ballymena goal.
Ballymena could have levelled on the stroke of half-time as Shevlin teed up Owens but the defender blazed high over the crossbar.
As the half-time whistle sounded Ballymena would have felt it was a case of chances missed as Coleraine went in with a 1-0 advantage.
The Bannsiders could have doubled their lead early in the second-half as O’Donnell’s looping volley went narrowly over the crossbar.
David Jeffrey was forced into a substitution early in the second-half with Kevin Braniff replacing the injured McMurray.
Ballymena levelled proceedings on 54 minutes as Owens’ header found the back of the net after a mix up in the Coleraine defence.
The leveller sparked Ballymena into life and Conor McCloskey could have put them in front only to be denied by a well-timed block from McConaghie.
The Bannsiders introduced Eoin Bradley midway through the second-half to mark his return to competitive action. Moments later he nearly grabbed a goal as his turn and shot drifted narrowly wide.
Kevin Braniff looked to have given the Sky Blues the lead on 79 minutes as he dug out a chance inside the area as he poked narrowly wide.
Coleraine applied the pressure in the closing stages as Aaron Traynor and McGonigle had great chances to give the home side the advantage.
Both sides had chances to grab all 3 points in the closing minutes however it was a case of honours even in what was a frantic game.
The result means that Coleraine remain top of the Danske Bank Premiership 4 points clear of second placed Crusaders.
COLERAINE FC: Johns, Mullan, Harkin, McCauley, Smith, Carson, McConaghie, O’Donnell, Parkhill (Bradley ’68), Traynor, McGonigle
UNUSED SUBS: Douglas, Ogilby, Kee, Whiteside
BALLYMENA UNITED: Glendinning, Kane, Owens, Thompson (McAlorum ’76), Friel, McCloskey, Shevlin (McKinney ’84), Balmer, Ervin, McCullough, McMurray (Braniff ’52)
UNUSED SUBS: Brennan, McCaffre
REFEREE: Arnold Hunter