LC semi-final: Linfield 0-3 Coleraine

Coleraine reached their first Bet McLean League Cup final since 2012 as they beat holders Linfield 3-0 in the semi-final at Windsor Park.

All the goals came after the break, with Aaron Canning and Aaron Jarvis finding the net either side of Josh Robinson's own goal.

The flurry of goals came as something of a surprise after a dull first half saw both teams struggle to create until the 40th minute when Coleraine's Lyndon Kane almost gifted Linfield a goal.

The Bannsiders skipper played a pass back to his own keeper without looking, giving it straight to Linfield striker Shayne Lavery. Usually so composed in front of goal, he looked certain to loft the ball over the onrushing Chris Johns, but the Coleraine stopper saved his shot well on the edge of his box, sparing the blushes of his captain.

Coleraine emerged strongly after the break, and in the 51st minute a Ben Doherty shot from inside the box appeared to take a touch off teammate Jamie Glackin, causing it to drift harmlessly wide.

2 mintues later, Coleraine's Stephen Lowry looked certain to score from Eoin Bradley's cross, only for his header to go straight into the arms of Rohan Ferguson, with Linfield's Joel Cooper smashing a shot over the bar in reply.

It was perhaps a sign of things to come, as the first goal came just after the hour through a Coleraine set piece wide on the right.

Doherty's delivery was almost gathered by Blues keeper Robinson, but he fumbled the ball upwards before falling to the deck, allowing center-back Aaron Canning to head into an unguarded net from 3 yards to give Coleraine the lead.

In search of a goal, Blues boss David Healy sent on Jordan Stewart and Andy Waterworth in place of Chris Casement and Jamie Mulgrew, but the visitors soon extended their lead.

Doherty surged down the left for Coleaine, and with several players lingering in the box, his cross took a huge deflection off Josh Robinson on its way into the net in the 80th minute, leaving Ferguson unable to respond.

With Linfield stunned, the visitors made it 3-0 just 2 minutes later. Doherty's corner from the right found the unmarked Aaron Jarvis to head home from 6 yards to send the Bannsiders to the League Cup final.