JAMIE McGonigle would be the Coleraine hero as his last minute goal got the Bannsiders back to winning ways at home to Glenavon…
Oran Kearney would welcome back Dean Jarvis from suspension to his starting eleven – alongside Stephen Lowry – as Lyndon Kane missed out due to accumulating five yellow cards, as well as Andy Scott who dropped to the bench.
The Bannsiders would make a bright start as Conor McKendry slipped the ball into the path of Jamie McGonigle but he was thwarted by ex-Coleraine stopper Gareth Deane. At the other end, Darren Clarke sent an effort over the crossbar before Gavin Hodgins blazed over from inside the box.
Just after the half hour mark, the visitors will feel they should have taken the lead as James Doona did well on the left-hand side. The January arrival centred the ball for the onrushing Jack Malone who fired wide.
Soon after, Dean Jarvis’ cross saw a looping header from McGonigle being grabbed by Deane, before Peter Campbell drilled a low effort into the gloves of Rory Brown.
Just four minutes into the second-half, Coleraine would threaten as a long ball sent McGonigle through on goal but the striker just couldn’t keep his effort below the crossbar.
On 52 minutes, the Bannsiders would spurn a glorious opportunity as Glenavon played themselves into trouble. This allowed McKendry to rob the ball and burst through on goal but he was denied by Deane.
Glenavon – who won at The Showgrounds back in December in the BetMcLean Cup – almost forged ahead on 76 minutes through two substitutes. A cross into the box by James Doran was met by Lifo Lotefa but Brown showed reflexes to push the ball away.
However, there would be late drama as Coleraine bagged all three points on 89 minutes. A clever one-two by Lee Lynch and McGonigle sent the latter through on goal. The striker still had a lot to do and he swept the ball into the back of the net for his first goal since returning to the club.
A big relief to end the wait for a victory as Coleraine are back in action on February 10 away to Cliftonville.
COLERAINE: Brown, D. Jarvis, Kelly, McKendry (Scott ’78 mins), Lowry (A. Jarvis ’78 mins), Shevlin, Carson, Farren (Lynch ’67 mins), O’Donnell, J. Scott, McGonigle.
Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), McDaid, O’Mahony, Devine.
GLENAVON: Deane, Birney (Kerr ’59 mins), Toure, Malone, Hodgins (Lotefa ’67 mins), Campbell, Quinn, Baird, Clarke (Doran ’73 mins), Garrett (Snoddy ’73 mins), Doona 6.
Subs Not Used: Byrne (GK), Haughey, Teggart.
Referee: Shane Andrews