Match Highlights vs Crusaders

COLERAINE TV highlights from the Bannsiders’ 1-0 win against Crusaders are now ready to view via the club’s YouTube account…

The Stripes would make it seven points from a possible nine in the post-split fixtures as James McLaughlin’s second-half header edged out Crusaders at Seaview.

After Matthew Shevlin tested the gloves of Johnny Tuffey, the visitors had a goal disallowed for offside after Eoin Bradley bagged at the back post. At the other end, Jordan Owens sent a snapshot wide, before David Cushley tested the Coleraine goal mouth from distance on two occasions.

Coleraine thought they had made the breakthrough on 39 minutes as Lyndon Kane sent an effort inches wide, with Cushley rattling the crossbar from just outside the box. Before the half-time whistle, Stephen Lowry failed to find the target from a corner kick, with Shevlin also poking wide from Ben Doherty’s cross.

Crusaders made a bright start to the second-half and nearly took the lead as Michael Ruddy’s half volley went over the crossbar, then, three minutes later, the Bannsiders somehow survived a goal mouth scramble as Cushley looked certain to find the back of the net.

Bannsiders boss Oran Kearney brought on James McLaughlin and Curtis Allen just after the hour mark and the switch would pay dividends as the two combined to give the Coleraine the lead. A wonderful cross into the box by Allen was expertly headed home by McLaughlin for his ninth goal of the season.

With ten minutes remaining, Coleraine almost stretched their advantage as Aaron Traynor’s cut back found Allen but his finish was comfortably gathered by Tuffey. In a grandstand finish, Crusaders pushed hard for an equaliser as Cushley had a free-kick palmed away by Gallagher, before Thomas Burns struck the post with a daisy cutter.