Bannsiders shot down by Swifts

Coleraine’s four-game unbeaten run was brought to a halt on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 by Dungannon Swifts.
Coleraine's Shane McGinty in action against Dungannon's Jamie Tomelty. Pic by John McIwaine-Press EyeColeraine's Shane McGinty in action against Dungannon's Jamie Tomelty. Pic by John McIwaine-Press Eye
Coleraine's Shane McGinty in action against Dungannon's Jamie Tomelty. Pic by John McIwaine-Press Eye

It was the visitors first win in 14 games as they produced a battling display to see off the Bannsiders.

First half goals from Ryan Harpur and Andrew Mitchell did the damage. A second half fightback never really materialised for the hosts until late in the game when substitute Gary Browne slotted in, but it was too little too late.

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The Bannsiders almost grabbed the lead in the fifth minute as Neil McCafferty crashed a free kick off the upright, Shane McGinty was unlucky to see his follow up drop wide of the far post.

The opener did arrive five minutes later as Michael Doherty let Ryan Harpur’s long range free kick slip through his grasp and into the net.

Coleraine almost responded immediately as Ian Parkhill picked out Michael Hegarty in the box, but his header only found the bar.

Harpur had Doherty scrambling again on 28 minutes as another long range effort just went wide of the mark.

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Five minutes before the break Dungannon grabbed a second with Harpur at the heart of it again.

His looping header crashed off the bar with Doherty stranded, and Mitchell headed in from a yard out.

The hosts were handed a lifeline right on half time after Mark Miskimmin was felled in the box, but Neil McCafferty’s spot kick was well saved by Andy Coleman.

The Swifts almost added a third just before the hour mark as Mitchell left Douglas for dead his low cross evaded Glackin before Fitzpatrick was teed up on the edge of the box, his scuffed shot found Glackin again, but he too finished weakly straight at Doherty.

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Coleraine finally reduced the arrears with five minutes to go as Gary Browne finished well from Parkhill’s flick on.

Coleraine: Doherty, Kane, Canning, Ogilby, Douglas, Beverland, Hegarty (McNeill 60), McCafferty, Parkhill, McGinty, Miskimmin (Browne 72).

Subs: McIlmoyle, Owens, Watt.

Bookings: Beverland, McGinty

Goal: Browne (85).

Dungannon Swifts: Coleman, Burns, Wilson, Brennan, Armstrong, Hutchinson, Hazley, Harpur, Glackin (McCullough 88), Mitchell (Liggett 67), Tomelty (Fitzpatrick 51).

Subs: Lavery, Sanusi.

Goal: Harpur (10), Mitchell (40)

Bookings: Tomelty, Harpur, Hazley, Coleman

Referee: T Marshall.