Memorable night for Newry as Mullen's side win at Coleraine

Newry City picked up their first away points of the season after their 1-0 victory over Coleraine at the Showgrounds.

Mark McCabe’s solitary goal was enough to secure victory for Darren Mullen’s side in what proved a frustrating night for Irish Cup holders Coleraine.

The visitors started the brighter of the sides as front man Mark McCabe spurned a great opportunity in the opening seconds. A defence splitting pass sent McCabe through one on one with Johns but the striker’s weak effort was easily saved.

The visitors were presented similar opportunity moments later but failed to hit the target.

Coleraine fashioned a chance on 14 minutes as Darren McCauley ran inside off the left wing before striking from outside the box. The winger's dipping effort forced Newry stopper Steven Maguire into a smart save.

Ciaron Harkin almost handed the advantage to the home side on 24 minutes. Josh Carson made a great run down the wing before laying the ball off to Harkin who forced Maguire to make a save.

Coleraine had an effort cleared off the line midway through the first half. Josh Carson’s corner was flicked on by Aaron Canning before Stephen O’Donnell steered the ball towards goal only to be cleared off the line by Newry forward, Stephen Hughes.

A neat skill from Darren McCauley allowed him to cross but Ciaron Harkin’s header drifted over.

Newry turned defence into attack and grabbed the lead via Mark McCabe. A long ball forward was flicked on by Stephen Hughes and McCabe lifted the ball over the advancing Johns and into the net.

Coleraine went in search of an equaliser as Gareth McConaghie stepped out from defence before unleashing a strike that whistled narrowly over the crossbar.

The visitors absorbed the Coleraine pressure throughout the first half and remained in front at the break as Rodney McAree’s side looked frustrated against newly promoted Newry.

The first meaningful chance of the second half fell to Coleraine. Josh Carson’s left footed drive from outside the area looked destined for the back of the net, only to be denied by a great save from Maguire.

Newry offered little in the second half as McGonigle and McCauley threatened. However, both their efforts sailed agonisingly wide.

Coleraine had two half hearted appeals for a penalty in the second half which underpinned the frustration of the home side.

Stephen Hughes almost doubled Newry’s lead but his effort was denied by John’s whilst the follow up from McCabe was well blocked by McConaghie to deny Mullen’s men.

Newry almost extended the lead with 6 minutes remaining. Declan Carville’s low cross was flicked towards goal by the lively McCabe but his effort drifted behind for a goal kick.

Newry held on for a deserved victory to make it a memorable night on the road. The result sees Darren Mullen’s men move up to 10th whilst Coleraine remain sixth.

COLERAINE FC: Johns, Mullan, Harkin, McCauley, Lowry (Bradley ‘45), Carson, McConaghie, Burns (Gawne ‘80), O’Donnell (c), McGonigle, Canning

Subs not used: Doherty (GK), Douglas, Crown, Whiteside, Bradley

NEWRY CITY AFC: Maguire, King, Noonan, Boyle, McCann, Carville, McCabe, S. Hughes, M. Hughes (c), Lavery (Teggert ‘90), Montgomery

Subs not used: Hunter, Walker, Rushe, Healy, Durnin, McCullough

Referee: Tony Clark.