Second-half showed battling qualities: OK

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney praised his players for their second-half performance in the 2-2 draw against Cliftonville at The Showgrounds…

In a game played in difficult conditions due to the wind, the Stripes would recover from a 2-0 deficit at the break to salvage a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from Matthew Shevlin and Jamie Glackin.

The result means Coleraine are now unbeaten in their last six Premiership contests as they aim to hit the European play-offs in fine form.

“Absolutely delighted to get something from it,” said Kearney.

“In the second-half we showed a lot of qualities that we want to see such as resilience and the ability to come from two down to get back into the game which was very important.

“The conditions were horrible for both teams but I felt they managed the conditions better in the first-half.

“They were that little bit sharper on the ball and we conceded from two second balls from set-pieces.

“The wind can cause havoc on a day like this but we said before the game that we had to react to these type of things and make sure we were aware inside the box.

“You have to give big credit for the second-half performance. We’ve come out, we’ve got after it and overall deserved a draw.”

Kearney stated that he always believed his side could yarner a positive result and that whilst the wind played a massive part in Glackin’s equaliser, the midfielder had to pose a question in the first place for the ball to hit the back of the net.

He added: “You always think you can pull it back with the players you have on the pitch.

“It was a good move for the first goal which Matthew Shevlin finishes well.

“The second one is a little bit fortunate but in the first-half we lamented not putting the ball in the box enough because on a day like today, the wind can cause havoc.

“With the second goal, the cross has probably swung because of the wind but unless you give the ball the opportunity to do that, then you won’t have that chance to score.”