Bannsiders share the points

Coleraine and Ballinamallard United had to make do with a point apiece at The Showgrounds as they played out a goalless draw.

The hosts should have broke the deadlock with only eight minutes on the clock after some good build up down the right by Scullion and Canning.

The full back cut the ball back for Curtis Allen, but he was denied by Alvin Rouse who blocked well with his legs.

Ballinamallard responded with captain Mark Stafford going close with a header from James McKenna’s cross on 26 minutes.

And McKenna almost caught out Michael Doherty with a lob shot 10 minutes before the break.

Coleraine opened up the visitors again on 42 minutes at Stephen Lowry drew another save out of Rouse.

United were first to threaten after the restart as Chris Curran picked out Andy Crawford, but the front man couldn’t keep his header down.

Coleraine had similar luck at the other end as Kyle McVey headed over a Lowry free kick on 73 minutes.

Ballinamallard put the pressure on in the closing stages and skipper Stafford was guilty of a bad miss with three minutes to go as he headed wide from a corner with no one near him.

Coleraine: Doherty, Beverland, Hegarty,McVey, Scullion (Jennings 84), Lowry, Allen, Harkin, McIlmoyle, Canning, Tomelty (Owens 76).

Subs: Watt, Boyce, Bradley.

Ballinamallard United: Rouse, Hill, Carters, Stafford, McCartney, Kee, Curran, McKenna, O’Grady, Feeney (Sheridan 59), Crawford (Cashel 83).

Subs: McGrath, Carrothers, Edgar.

Referee: Mark Courtney.