Match Action vs Crusaders

HIGHLIGHTS from the Bannsiders’ 1-0 defeat against Crusaders can now be viewed on the club’s official YouTube account…

The Bannsiders would drop down to fourth spot in the Danske Bank Premiership ahead of Saturday’s fixtures following their first home defeat of the season.

After a lacklustre start to proceedings, the visitors would take the lead on 18 minutes as a superb cross from Jordan Forsythe found Jordan Owens unmarked inside the box and he made no mistake from close range.

The Stripes tried to respond and went close as Billy Joe Burns’ clearance cannoned off his own post, before James McLaughlin forced Gerard Doherty into a save with an acrobatic effort. At the other end, Coleraine had Chris Johns to thank for saving efforts from Jamie McGonigle and David Cushley. The North Belfast side will feel they should have doubled their lead before the break as Owens dragged an effort wide when through on goal.

Coleraine made a bright start to the second-half and threatened as Josh Carson was unable to steer Aaron Traynor’s cross into the net, before the same player would have an effort blocked, before James McLaughlin had a header cleared off the line by Jarlath O’Rourke.

Crusaders were looking to hit the Bannsiders on the break and they had two late chances to seal the win as Paul Heatley fired straight down the throat of Johns, with substitute Paul McElroy firing over the bar from an acute angle.