Bannsiders have to make do with a point

It looked as though James McLaughlin’s second half goal would be enough to seal all three points against the champions, who had both Paul Heatley and Jordan Forsythe sent off on the day.

But substitute Stephen O’Flynn struck with a minute to go to rescue a point for Stephen Baxter’s side.

The Bannsiders deployed skipper Howard Beverland as a man marker on the in-form Jordan Owens.

There was 18 minutes gone before the visitors registered a shot on goal as Gavin Whyte tried his luck from distance, Michael Doherty safely gathered his snapshot though.

Sean O’Neill was called into action at the other end on 24 minutes as Darren McCauley picked out Rodney Brown with a good cross. Brown lost his marker before powering a header goalwards, however it was straight into the palms of O’Neill.

Coleraine had Stephen Douglas to thank for keeping the scores level as half time approached.

The veteran defender was superbly placed to head Forsythe’s point blank effort off the line as the wide man had redirected Whyte’s misplaced shot on target on 36 minutes.

From the corner as the home defence dallied Paul Heatley fired off a shot, which Doherty did well to palm away.

Three minutes later Coleraine had an excellent chance to break the deadlock. As the Crues defence pushed up McCauley played in McGonigle with a superbly timed pass, the young striker had the freedom of The Showgorunds, but he could only find the legs of O’Neill with his effort.

Within seconds the game was turned on its head as the visitors were reduced to ten men.

Referee Keith Kennedy was called over by his assistant as Coleraine’s Lyndon Kane lay prostrate on the gorund following an off the ball incident with Heatley.

The outcome saw the Crusaders forward given his marching orders to complete a very frustrating opening 45 minutes for the champions.

Coleraine threw on striker James McLaughlin at the start of the second half and what a change it proved to be as he broke the deadlock on 64 minutes.

He found the target with a header after O’Neill could only palm out Harkin’s initial effort.

Things went from bad to worse for the Crues with 20 minutes to go as they were reduced to nine men.

Jordan Forsythe was the man to be given his marching orders this time for a late challenge on that man Lyndon Kane again.

Just when it looked as though the Crues were heading towards defeat up stepped Substitute Stephen O’Flynn to draw his side level. The Bannsiders gave away a needless free kick from which Coates headed back across goal for O’Flynn to head home in the 89th mninute.

Coleraine: Doherty, Beverland, Mullan, Douglas (McLaughlin 46), McCauley (Law 79), Harkin, Brown, Canning, Lyons, Kane, McGonigle.

Subs: Watt, Parkhill, Falconer.

Goal: McLaughlin (64)

Crusaders: O’Neill, Burns, McClean, Coates, Robinson, Heatley, Owens, Whyte (Mitchell 67), Clarke (O’Flynn 83), Snoddy, Forsythe.

Subs: McKibbin, Molloy, O’Carroll, O’Flynn.

Red cards: Heatley (40), Forsythe (70).

Goal: O’Flynn (89)

Referee: Keith Kennedy