Match Highlights vs Larne

COLERAINE TV highlights from the Bannsiders’ win at Larne can now be viewed on the club’s YouTube account…

Coleraine would come from behind to secure second place in the Danske Bank Premiership as James McLaughlin and Curtis Allen were on target at Inver Park.

The hosts would take the lead on nine minutes as Andy Scott found Matthew Lusty and his 25-yard effort went into the back of the net via the post. However, Coleraine responded and should have equalised on 21 minutes as McLaughlin squared the ball for Ben Doherty but somehow the midfielder’s strike was blocked off the line by Graham Kelly.

Larne were looking dangerous every time they went forward and they almost doubled their advantage as Lundy showed great footwork inside the area and his cross just missed a vital touch from Johnny McMurray at the back post. Two minutes later, Lee Lynch would be next to have a go but his strike from a tight angle was kept out by Martin Gallagher.

On the half hour mark, Coleraine would rue their luck as a corner kick was spilled by Conor Mitchell and the ball landed to Allen but his strike hit the post, with the follow-up by Aaron Canning being cleared off the line. On 40 minutes, there would be another great chance for Larne as Scott’s delivery found Lusty but his goal bound effort was tipped over by Gallagher.

A minute after the restart, Larne will feel they should have added a second as Conor McKendry broke the offside trap and burst through on goal. The winger’s first strike was blocked by Lyndon Kane with the follow-up also hitting the body of Gallagher as Coleraine survived.

That let-off would prove dividends on 49 minutes as Coleraine drew level as a cross on the right-hand side from Doherty found McLaughlin inside the box and the marksman tapped home his tenth goal of the season. Three minutes later, the visitors thought they had turned the game on its head as Stewart Nixon and Jamie Glackin combined to release Josh Carson but his well driven effort was turned around the post by Mitchell.

However, Oran Kearney’s men did take the lead on 59 minutes as Doherty was once again the provider as his cross was met by Allen who headed the ball into the ground and up into the net for his tenth goal of the campaign. Remarkably, the hosts almost found an instant equaliser in bizarre circumstances as a cross into the box was diverted onto his own crossbar by Adam Mullan.

After Larne hit the woodwork once again through the lively Scott, the Bannsiders missed a good chance to seal all three points late on as a cross field pass from Doherty found Nixon but the substitute was unable to send his effort on target.