Match Reaction

Timing of goals irks OK

ORAN Kearney admits he was disappointed with the timing and manner of the two goals his side conceded against Cliftonville last night…

The Bannsiders would twice take the lead at Solitude but conceded in stoppage time in both halves as the contest ended 2-2 for a remarkable fourth time in succession.

The result means Coleraine remain sixth in the Premiership standings as positions for European football heats up.

“I don’t know and it’s hard to gauge why the games ends up that way,” Kearney said.

“They have all been ding-dongs each in their own way and tonight was no different.

“We are frustrated with both the goals we conceded.

“I think they were both in added time in each half.

“We felt we have defended the first one poorly in relation to there’s twenty seconds until the half ends and we have an opportunity to send the ball up the pitch but we don’t.

“We gave the way and it’s ended up costing us.

“The second one we can easily deal with the ball before it but then we give away a really silly free-kick.

“It’s one of those as Gareth and Lyndon both do their jobs in relation to the free-kick but it just clips off Michael who was also doing his job and it’s frustrating.”

Coleraine had taken the lead for the first time early doors as Lyndon Kane let fly from distance, with Andy Scott also netting in the second-half.

Kearney joked post-match that Kane should do that more often after registering his first goal of the season.

“About time he scored a goal like that!

“He’s usually 1 in 120 appearances type record but no it was a great strike and a good start for us.

“It was good to get up and running in a game like this but it’s frustrating with the manner and timing of the two goals we’ve conceded.

“It’s so important we keep going.

“You’ve got to come here and be big and be strong and stand up to everything they throw at you.

“Paddy’s assembled a great side here and I thought Cliftonville played some great stuff.

“They asked us plenty of questions but to be fair to our guys, I thought we stood up to the majority of it.”