Kearney: ‘We should have it in the tank to shut games out’

COLERAINE manager Oran Kearney was disappointed that his players were not able to see out their lead in last night’s draw against Institute…

The Bannsiders came from behind to take a 2-1 lead courtesy of Jamie McGonigle and Brad Lyons, but were undone with 10 minutes to go as Michael McCrudden dispatched a penalty after Stephen Lowry was adjudged to have fouled Callum Moorehead inside the box.

“My immediate reaction is one of disappointment because we clawed our way back into the game and showed a wee bit of character again to come from behind,” Kearney said.

“I said it to the players after, that throughout the journey we’ve been on in the last 18 months, we should have it in the tank now to shut games out with 15 or 20 minutes to go.

“We weren’t at our best tonight and we had Aaron Burns and Josh Carson missing tonight, and we are probably right down to the bare bones in relation to depth.

“We were more than happy with the side we started with but we are down to the bare bones in terms of the bench.

“I still feel that when we showed so much quality to get back in front, that with everything we’ve been through as a club such as the European matches, the Cup finals, there should be that bit of street wise to go and see the game out.

“Stevie has held his hands up as it was a rush of blood and he doesn’t know what he’s done. It probably just epitomises tonight more than anything and its cost us two points.”

The Stripes knew that a win would have sent them top of the Danske Bank Premiership for at least 24 hours, but the boss highlighted that there is a long way to go in the season.

“The target tonight was to go top with a win,” he added.

“It is early days in the season but its disappointing not to have done it, but there’s a long way to go.

“There’s probably more frustration with our performances than anything else.

“We looked more like ourselves in the second-half after huffing and puffing in the opening 45 minutes.

“Last week at Glentoran was just a dead game, so it’s probably been a frustrating six days from a football point of view.

“It’s two games out of 48 or 50 coming ahead, so we won’t get too carried away.”

Kearney believes his squad will remain how it is as the transfer window shuts next week.

“I don’t see any new arrivals at the minute as there is not a huge amount of players out there,” he concluded.

“I would expect that the squad will be how it is leading into September.

“We are always on the lookout for players so fingers crossed.”