Coleraine are held in Showgrounds stalemate

IT certainly wasn’t a classic but Saturday’s game at home to Ballinamallard United was certainly a lot more pleasing for Oran Kearney than the last time the two sides faced each other.

The Bannsiders’ boss was “disgusted” by his charges’ performance a fortnight ago as the ‘Mallards ran out 5-1 winners. And he was determined to make sure that it was a merely a one off.

His side might not have picked up all three points in the re-match where chances were at a premium.

But Kearney was in better form at the full time whistle this time around.

“I don’t know if it was the worst game this season,” he told Times Sport.

“The worst game I’ve saw this season was our last one against Ballinamallard when they beat us 5-1.

“There were far too many highlights that day, but unfortunately they were all for Ballinamallard.

“We had a point to prove today, to ourselves more than anything, that 5-1 wasn’t a fair result on that day.

“We probably had the better chances today, but unfortunately we just couldn’t get that all important goal.”

Coleraine had the better of things in the first half and really should have went into the break at least one goal to the good.

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.

It was a similar story three minutes before half time when Stevie Lowry weaved his way through the Ballinamallard defence only for Rouse to deny him too.

“Goals change games and especially the first goal in a game and we had a couple of good chances in the first half through Curtis and Stevie,” said Kearney.

“You would put your house on Curtis to score in that position but the ‘keeper has made a good save to deny him.

“But when you create chances that those you really should be coming away with all three points.

“We wanted to prove a point today as we felt the last game was very harsh on us. Unfortunately we couldn’t find that all important goal.”

Mallards boss Whitey Anderson was pleased to head back to Fermanagh with a point and maintain his side’s unbeaten run over Coleraine this season.

“I knew it was going to be tough here today as Coleraine would be desperate to put things right after the last result,” he said.

“They came out and had a real good go at us in the first half and to be honest I’m delighted to come away with a point.

“I just said to the boys after the game that we have Alvin to thank for securing the draw for us as he made two great saves in the first half to keep us in the game. Coleraine had the better of things in the first half but I thought we were better after the break and were unlucky with a couple of chances after the break.”