Carson strike seals first win

The Bannsiders' skipper grabbed the only goal of the game to kill off a hard working Limavady United side.

Carson struck just after the hour mark to set up a final encounter with Institute.

After the game Coleraine coach, Aidy McLaughlin, told Times Sport the result was more important than the performance.

"Tuesday night was all about getting a result," said McLaughlin.

"The performance was pretty secondary and I’m pleased we did get the result and finally got a goal.

"It was a very open game and there were plenty of chances for both sides, but obviously Stephen Carson gives you that extra quality and we knew we had that on the bench if we needed.

"Limavady are a very decent team, they proved that by coming third in the Championship last year and we knew they would give us a tough game. When we went 1-0 up, we had a lot of good breaks to make it two, but just weren’t clinical enough, which is typical of how our season has been so far.

"When you’re on a losing streak as we have been, you’re just grateful for any win. Around this time last year we were struggling, but a win in this same competition, against the same opposition, was a turning point and hopefully history can repeat itself again."

Coleraine started the brighter of the two teams with Darren Boyce testing Robert Robinson in the first minute.

The hosts should have broken the deadlock on 12 minutes when Harkness' clearing header sent Scullion through on goal, his shot beat Robinson but cannoned off the upright.

The Bannsiders had reserve keeper Laurence McCormick to thank three minutes later as he pulled off a great save to deny Trevor Hutchinson.

The visitors should have scored 10 minutes before the break when Niall Cooke picked up a loose ball in the box, but the striker dragged his shot wide.

United spurned another great opportunity three minutes before the break when Hutchinson skipped past Beverland, McCormick though beat away his shot.

It was Coleraine who made the break through on 62 minutes thanks to the skipper.

The former Rangers man was only on the pitch seven minutes when he raced on to a long ball out of defence before coolly slotting past Robinson.

Gareth Harkin should have made it two six minutes later after Scullion sent him clear on goal, but he delayed too long allowing McConaghie to block his shot.

Limavady piled forward in the closing stages but their hopes of rescuing the game took a blow on 87 minutes as Cooke was sent off for dissent.

Coleraine: McCormick, Watt, Harkness, Mukendi (McVey 37), Beverland, Lowry (Carson 55), Hegarty, Tommons (Brown 55), Harkin, Scullion, Boyce.

Subs: Canning, Millar.

Limavady United: Robinson, Walsh (Roddy 32), McKeever, McConaghie, McNulty, Patrick, Owens (Rodden 75), Spratt, Cooke, Hutchinson, Clarke (McCaughan 78).

Subs: Anderson, McKenna.

Referee: David Walker.