COLERAINE earned a share of the spoils after fighting back to draw with Cliftonville at The Showgrounds…
Oran Kearney would be without Conor McKendry and Stephen Lowry through suspension, meaning Jack Scott and Lyndon Kane were able to feature against the Reds.
After David Odumosu was tested by Andy Scott inside two minutes, the visitors thought they had taken the lead as a brilliant save by Rory Brown and clearance off the line would then see the ball blasted home by Joe Gormley. Just when the striker thought he had got his name on the scoresheet, he was denied by the linesman’s flag.
However, they wouldn’t have to wait long to forge ahead as a free-kick into the box wasn’t defended by the Coleraine defence, allowing Patrick Burns to score his first Cliftonville goal from close range.
On 28 minutes, the task would get even more difficult as yet again a second ball wasn’t cleared and this was punished as Rory Hale hit an unstoppable effort beyond Brown.
Both teams would have chances before the break but Stephen O’Donnell headed into the gloves of Odumosu, whilst at the other end, Ben Wilson fired off target from Gormley’s pass.
Coleraine needed a quick lifeline to get back into the contest and that’s what they got on 62 minutes. A strong run and cross by Josh Carson laid the ball on a plate for Matthew Shevlin to rifle home from close range.
Cliftonville knew all three points would secure European football and they would have several half chances which would come and go as the game was played in difficult conditions.
That would be evident when Coleraine grabbed their equaliser on 88 minutes. A cross into the box by Jamie Glackin looked like being a routine save for Odumosu but he could only watch on as the ball slipped between his fingers and into the back of the net.
The comeback means Oran Kearney’s men are now unbeaten in their last six contests ahead of next weekend’s game against Glentoran.
COLERAINE: Brown, Kane, D. Jarvis, Kelly (A. Jarvis ’75 mins), Shevlin, Carson, O’Donnell, Glackin, J. Scott (Lynch ’75 mins), McGonigle, A. Scott.
Subs Not Used: Gallagher (GK), McDaid, Farren, Devine, Tejada.
CLIFTONVILLE: Odumosu, Pepper, Stewart (Kenny ’80 mins), Addis, C. Curran, Rory Hale (Gordon ’67 mins), Burns, Gormley (Ronan Hale ’67 mins), Casey, Kearney, Wilson (Graham ’86 mins).
Subs Not Used: Gartside (GK), Jordan, Yoro.
Referee: Ben McMaster