Blues in top gear

This was certainly a testing fixture for the Blues against a team in top form thanks to the goal scoring exploits of striker Rory Patterson.

But on this occasion it was Linfield who were top guns and it seems David Jeffrey's men have emerged from the recent slump and are now back in top gear.

Curtis Allen is making up for lost time by showing his skills up front and he almost grabbed the lead when he nipped away from his marker to get in a shot but David O'Hare, who was making his 500th appearance for the Bannsiders, made the save.

was called into action early on as the visitors had the better of the exchanges in the first half.

Allen was in the thick of the action again during this lively start by the visitors with a free kick that just flew wide on 15 minutes.

In the next attack the home defence was caught cold as Peter Thompson raced onto a long ball over the top but fullback Howard Beverland made a timely tackle to block the parting shot of the NI striker.

Thompson went close again on 18 minutes as Damien Curran hurled over a great ball into the box, but he failed to connect properly and O'Hare snuffed out the danger.

Linfield were warned of Patterson's deft touch when he got on the end of a pass from McCallion, his effort skimmed the woodwork on this occasion.

The league's top marksman had an even better chance soon after but after being set up by Stephen Carson he dragged his shot wide of the goal.

Linfield almost grabbed the opening on 40 minutes after Allen had been upended on the edge of the box by Mukendi. Robert Garrett sent a thumping drive over the wall but his effort hit inside of the post with O'Hare beaten.

A good first half from the Blues and somewhat disappointed they had not broken the deadlock.

Into the second half and Garrett picked out Allen with a neat cross, but the striker headed wide from a good position. Then Garrett tried his luck from distance after Coleraine had failed to clear their lines, but this time the midfielder's effort failed to trouble O'Hare.

Finally the Blues were rewarded for all their efforts after Stephen Douglas surged forward and let fly, his shot came back off the upright but Philip Lowry was in the perfect spot to slot the ball home from close range.

It was almost two when Billy Jo Burns surged forward after winning possession just inside the half and his a powerful shot was tipped over by which O'Hare.

The Bannsiders got back on level terms after Gareth Harkin broke through the Linfield back line before picking out Stephen Dooley and he fired past Blayney.

It was game on and Coleraine were still celebrating when the Blues snatched the lead again. Jamie Mulgrew smashed a superb volley past O'Hare from right on the edge of the box - superb strike from the midfielder.

Any hopes of a late comeback were dash when Thompson added number three, this time he latched onto the rebound after Garret's free kick hit the woodwork.