McAree ‘slightly aggrieved’ with McLaughlin dismissal

COLERAINE boss Rodney McAree was full of praise for his side’s efforts as they drew 3-3 with Ballymena yesterday afternoon…

The Bannsiders held a 2-1 half-time lead as Stephen Lowry and James McLaughlin fired home, but there was a setback four minutes after the restart as McLaughlin was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

However the advantage was further strengthened as Ian Parkhill made it 3-1, before Andrew Burns reduced the deficit two minutes later. When it looked like the Stripes had done enough to secure all three points, substitute Johnny McMurray found the bottom corner with a late equaliser.

Speaking after the game, boss McAree believes his players gave everything they had and put in a tremendous performance despite conceding three goals.

“I thought we done extremely well for large parts of the game, but to find ourselves 3-1 up and not win is disappointing,” he said.

“I thought the physical side of it caught us out as Ballymena went very direct and a lot of balls were pumped into our box.

“They are physically very strong and at that stage I was co,sidering bringing on another centre-half.

“I didn’t know who to bring off as the four lads in midfield gave their absolute all and it was a case of trying to see the game out, but unfortunately it hasn’t worked.

“There are positives to take out of it as I thought we were tremendous and we are disappointed leaving the home of the league leaders with only a point despite having 10 men.”

McAree was left disappointed with Arnold Hunter’s decision to send-off McLaughlin for two questionable cautions.

“His first booking in my opinion was a good challenge,” he added.

“It’s maybe a strong challenge but he’s played the ball and it happens in an area of the pitch that allows other people to react to it and it put the referee under pressure.

“For the second one Arnold told me it was for persistent fouling but that one wasn’t overly reckless either. It was a mistimed tackle, nothing more than that, so I feel a little bit aggrieved.

“It seems like you have to go into challenges softly now and put yourself in more danger of serious injury.”

The boss was also full of praise for Chris Johns’ performance as the stopper kept the Sky Blues at bay on numerous occasions in the second-half.

“Chris was immense especially in the second half and he pulled off some tremendous saves,” he concluded.

“There’s also a positive in terms of scoring goals as James returned and got two in as many games.

“Unfortunately he must now serve a suspension, but he and Ian Parkhill have certainly taken their opportunity with both hands.

“We’ve scored five goals in our last two games and long may that continue.”