COLERAINE celebrated away day joy at Carrick Rangers as two second half goals paved the way for all three points at Taylors Avenue...

Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins made two changes from the goalless draw against Larne as Levi Ives and Rowan McDonald made way for Aidan Wilson and Jay Henderson.

Coleraine made a bright start and threatened first with just four minutes on the clock when Joel Cooper's near post cross picked out Matthew Shevlin but the striker arrowed wide from an inviting position.

Carrick, who had won their opening two games heading into the contest, then went close on two occasions themselves when Lewis Webb had to tip away Jordan Forsythe's looping header before showing his reflexes to save BJ Burns' thunderous drive.

The last meaningful sight of goal in the first half came down Coleraine's left hand side as Ben Doherty's run and cross picked out Shevlin but the striker just couldn't plant his header on target.

Both teams traded chances at the start of the second half as Matthew Snoddy's drive failed to land to below the crossbar, whilst at the other end, Ben Wylie's curler flashed inches wide of the far post.

However, Coleraine would hit the front on 56 minutes after a fine team move paid off. After receiving the ball from Shevlin's lay-off, Dylan Boyle played a wonderful ball over the top which released the run of Joel Cooper and he hit a low effort into the net for his first goal of the campaign.

Higgins, who elected to bring on Conor McMenamin at half-time, would have the next shot in anger as his well-driven strike forced Nathan Gartside into a smart save as the Bannsiders looked for that crucial second.

But any fears of an equaliser were distinguished as Coleraine did double their lead just four minutes from the end. The tireless Doherty picked up on a loose ball in Carrick's territory, ran forward and planted a fine effort into the net as the Bannsiders pocketed all three points.

CARRICK RANGERS: Gartside, Place, Burns (Cherry '77 mins), Forsythe, Callacher, Gibson, McCullough, Steele (Maciulatis '69 mins), Buchanan-Rolleston, Crowe (Hastings '83 mins), Snoddy (O’Connor '77 mins).

Subs: Agnew (GK), Clucas, Moore.

COLERAINE: Webb, Kane, Boyle, Patching, Shevlin, Cooper (Devine '77 mins), Wilson, Henderson (McMenamin '46 mins), Slevin, Wylie (Ives '73 mins), Doherty (McGregor '89 mins).

Subs: Robinson (GK), Jarvis, Devlin.

Referee: Michael McKenna