Linfield 3-2 Coleraine

INPHO
Author: Alex KeeryPublished 9th Feb 2019
Last updated 11th Feb 2019

Kyle McClean's 90th minute strike saw Linfield complete a comeback from two goals down to beat Coleraine 3-2 at Windsor Park.

Coleraine had taken a 20th minute lead through Gareth McConaghie, who turned in Jamie Glackin's cross at the near post. Linfield's defence were caught cold as they appeared to be waiting for Glackin to be called for handling the ball before he delivered it into the box.

The Bannsiders deservedly moved 2 goals clear early in the second half when Dean Shiels flicked home Parkhill's cross in the 50th minute. Blues keeper Gareth Deane had saved his effort, but the linesman ruled that the ball had cleared the line, and the goal was given.

8 minutes later, Linfield defender Jimmy Callacher knocked Niall Quinn's free kick into the path of his centre-back partner Josh Robinson, who was able to swivel and volley his side back into contention from close range.

In the 68th minute, it was another defender who found the net for Linfield. This time it was left-back Quinn who worked his way up the pitch in a quick counter attack, finishing well after being teed up by Marek Cervenka.

The recovering put Linfield on the front foot, and they almost went ahead in the 83rd minute when substitute Michael O'Connor struck the post and then the crossbar within the space of less than a minute.

Coleraine were still in the game, and James McLaughlin's 85th minute header was looping into the top corner until Deane tipped it narrowly over the Linfield bar.

The match wasn't settled until the 90th minute when Linfield's Kyle McClean smashed home a 20-yard volley with his left foot after the Bannsiders failed to clear a corner.