Lack of clinical edge – Deane

COLERAINE goalkeeper Gareth Deane believes yesterday’s draw against Cliftonville was a fair result…

The Bannsiders would be held to a goalless draw at The Showgrounds as they couldn’t find a way past Luke McNicholas in the Cliftonville goal.

Deane remarked that whilst the Stripes were good defensively, they probably didn’t do enough in the final third to pocket all three points.

“I thought we were very good defensively but we could have done a bit better in the final third,” he said.

“All in all, a draw is a fair result for both teams.

“A clean sheet for us and a clean sheet for them is probably fair.

“I think they’ll be slightly happier with a draw as we had a few chances in the second-half.

“At the end of the day, a point is a point.”

Coleraine have now registered ten clean sheets from 15 Premiership assignments this term and Deane knows that statistic is important as they chase glory this campaign.

“Racking up clean sheets is massive,” he continued.

“We had a good stat of not conceding at home until Ben broke it last week.

“However, it is great to register another clean sheet on the board.

“Hopefully, there are many more to come.

“I didn’t know a whole pile about it to be honest.

“I put my right arm out and hoped for the best.

“Thankfully, it hit one of our boys and back into my hands.

“It was one of those ones were the ball could have went anywhere.”

The wintry conditions made things difficult for both sets of players as Deane commented on signing a new contract this week.

“The hailstones in the second-half were lovely to play in,” the shot stopper joked.

“We knew what we were coming into with the weather warning and everything else.

“It was never going to be easy but it was a fair result in the end.

“I’m buzzing with the new deal.

“When Oran approached me about it, I was more than happy to sign and extend my stay here.

“The fans were outstanding today and have been since we’ve came back from COVID, so long may that continue.”