Out of rhythm – OK

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney admits his side struggled to “get to grips” with the conditions as they played out a 0-0 draw against Carrick Rangers…

The Bannsiders would put in a below-par performance and had Gareth Deane to thank on several occasions as the stopper made several key saves throughout the contest.

Speaking to Coleraine TV after the game, Kearney outlined that his side simply struggled to get their attacking players in key areas as they had to settle for a point.

“It was a frustrating day,” he said.

“With the conditions and everything else, we have struggled to get to grips with today.

“It was one of those games where I felt the ball was out of play more than it was in play.

“We struggled for any type of rhythm, we still have had chances and at the other end it has been a quiet month for Gareth but he’s had to make some saves to preserve a clean sheet.

“Last week we created a lot and even the weeks before and things were going really well on that front.

“However, today we just struggled for space, struggled to get key men on the ball in the right areas and our chances were more limited than they were in recent weeks.”

The Stripes have been without the services of Curtis Allen and James McLaughlin for the majority of the season and Kearney remarked that the pair are making progress in their recoveries.

“They are both getting there,” he revealed.

“Curtis is out of the boot now and is starting to do a bit of work on the anti-gravity treadmill.

“James is doing a bit of straight line running and we are monitoring his progress.

“We have been sort of threadbare in that top end of the pitch and to be fair those guys have carried the can well at this point in time.

“Obviously it would be nice to get a few of those guys back.”

Coleraine continue their defence of the BetMcLean League Cup trophy on Tuesday night as Glentoran visit The Showgrounds.

Kearney acknowledged that both sides will be “hungry” to reach the semi-final of the competition but hopes a vocal home crowd can help the Bannsiders reach the last four.

“We hold the cup at this point in time and there was a lot of work that went into that to achieve that,” he concluded.

“With that, it is not something that we want to give up easily.

“We know that Glentoran will be hungry to do well but for us it’s a big opportunity to try and get into the semi-final.

“The fans are massively important.

“I was frustrated for the fans today as the guys who were here today never stopped supporting us.

“In the last 20 or 30 minutes and even Skinner’s chance towards the end, they were nearly dragging the ball into the net.

“It’s frustrating from that point of view but hopefully we get a good turn out on Tuesday.”