“We took our hardest chance” – OK

COLERAINE boss Oran Kearney remarked that yesterday’s defeat to Ballymena United marked “a similar trait” to recent fixtures…

The Bannsiders would fall behind to Paul McElroy’s effort on four minutes but took control of the contest and created several chances, with James McLaughlin bagging an equaliser on the hour mark.

However, after the Stripes threatened on numerous occasions to take the lead, they would suffer a sucker punch late on as David Parkhouse stabbed home on 90 minutes.

Coleraine would also rue injuries to Gareth Deane and Conor McKendry as both players had to be stretchered off the pitch – with the latter having an X-ray confirming that everything is all clear.

“Gareth is heading to hospital and is heavily strapped on a stretcher,” Kearney said.

“From that alone, it hasn’t been a productive day and we are worried for the two of them.

“We will keep people posted as soon as we know.

“It’s frustrating as again we show all the character that we know exists in the team but we conceded a sloppy goal against Glentoran after three or four minutes and today we don’t get our line right for the goal kick as he kicks a lot shorter than we expect, the ball bounces and we don’t win the first or second ball and all of a sudden you’re 1-0 down in a derby.

“You’re possibly fearing the worst because against Glentoran it shook us and we didn’t react, but the big thing I’ll give the players and I’ve said it in there, is that from the third minute we just took control and went after it in the way we know that we can.

“We’ve created a bundle of chances in both halves but when you don’t put the ball in the back of the net it’s difficult and again it’s a collective thing.

“We’ve had full backs having chances, centre halves have had chances, midfielders have had chances, strikers have had chances but goals change games and the output of games.

“To me the sucker punch never happens at the end because we should be two or three up by that stage but when you don’t put the ball in the net you leave yourself open to something like that happening.

“Sadly that’s just been the trait of the last few weeks.”

The Bannsiders have enjoyed a fruitful January transfer window in recent seasons and Kearney insists he is willing to wait find the right addition if one becomes available.

“We are always looking for good players.

“The key thing is finding ones that are the right fit.

“We will always be active in January and we will look to try and do that.

“That will take its own pace in the next few weeks.”

Like many times this season, Coleraine supporters travelled in their numbers to cheer the players on and Kearney was thankful for their support.

“They were brilliant and always are for this fixture,” he stressed.

“When we went down early, all you heard in the first half was our fans right up until we get the goal from James and after that as well.

“They were outstanding to a man and a woman as they always are.

“The frustrating thing is that we’ve had umpteen chances today and at times we’ve nearly got into each other’s way.

“We nearly needed one to go in off a backside and you could probably epitomise it by we’ve scored with our hardest chance by far.

“I don’t know how he takes it as it’s a phenomenal finish by James but all the other chances in the game are far easier than that chance, but at the minute, we just can’t put teams away which leaves us open at the other end for a sucker punch.”