COLERAINE would be beaten for a seventh game in a row as Carrick Rangers netted two second-half goals at The Showgrounds…
Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney made four changes to the starting line-up as Lyndon Kane and Conor McKendry returned from suspension, alongside Josh Carson and Matthew Shevlin who deputised following injury setbacks.
The Stripes would threaten inside the first minute as McKendry picked the ball up from deep but his long run and lob failed to hit the target. At the other end, a pin-point free-kick by Andy Mitchell was headed over the bar by Nedas Maciulaitis.
The hosts would have the best chance of the first-half on 21 minutes as Jack Scott’s allowed McGonigle to go through on goal. The striker took a great first touch but couldn’t find a way past Ross Glendinning who saved with his feet.
Both teams would trade chances before the break as Josh Carson sent a free-kick straight down the throat of Glendinning, before Danny Purkis drilled into the gloves of Rory Brown following a long ball forward.
Just after McKendry saw an attempt deflect over the crossbar, the Amber Army would take the lead on 59 minutes. A ball into the box wasn’t defended by the Coleraine and David Cushley punished by finding the back of the net via a deflection.
Kearney decided to introduce Lee Lynch from the bench and the midfielder would see a low attempt palmed away by Glendinning, with McGonigle’s cut-back also being thwarted by the shot stopper.
Soon after, McKendry would try his luck again but to no avail as Carrick sealed the deal on 87 minutes. A long ball forward found Purkis – and despite his challenge on Graham Kelly looking like a foul – play continued with the striker finding the back of the net.
Coleraine drop down to 8th in the Premiership table ahead of next weekend’s game against Glenavon.
COLERAINE: Brown, Kane, Kelly, McKendry, Shevlin, Carson, Farren (Lynch ‘60 mins), O’Donnell, J. Scott, McGonigle, A. Scott (McDaid ‘80 mins).
Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), A. Jarvis, Lowry, O’Mahony, O’Hara.
CARRICK RANGERS: Ross Glendinning, Forsythe, Stewart, Gordon, Cushley (Cherry ‘64 mins), Mitchell (Surgenor ‘89 mins), Maciulaitis (Arnold ‘90 mins), MacKinnon, Buchanan-Rolleston, Reece Glendinning, Purkis (McGuckin ‘90 mins).
Subs Not Used: McCauley (GK), Watson, Allen.
Referee: Keith Kennedy