Mistakes cost Linfield dearly

Coleraine blew the title race wide open again as they knocked the Blues off top spot as Rory Patterson and sub Richard Gibson both bagged a brace in the 4-2 win.

"We really made it far too easy for Coleraine. You cannot give chances like that away and expect to win games," said Jeffrey.

"We talked about our first half problems and changed it and then within a couple of seconds we are three down because of another silly mistake. It hurts because I thought we were playing some good football up front and creating chances.

"To their credit the players did not let their heads drop, we pulled one back and how we did not get a second penalty I don't know why. We pushed three up front but again we were punished at the back and we are left to reflect on a poor defensive display."

The match started with Linfield looking for an early goal and they almost grabbed it on eight minutes when a cross from Robert Garrett beat the defence and fell at the feet of Curtis Allen who could only clip the ball wide.

In another enterprising move Garret crossed for Peter Thompson but he lacked any real power and his header was saved by O'Hare. Still the Blues looked the more likely to score and another cross from the busy Garret was met by Thompson and with O'Hare stranded off his line the looping header nestled on top of the net.

Then out of nothing the visitors were in front. Rory Patterson using his strength to get away from Stephen Douglas and after beating goalkeeper Alan Blayney he drilled the ball home from an tight angle.

Linfield had hardly time to recover from this when they suffered another body blow. Winger Stephen Carson drilling a superb right footed shot that Blayney could only parry and Richard Gibson was first to pounce on the loose ball.

Michael Gault and Mark McAllister started the second half, but more woe when Douglas tried a back pass which fell way short and Patterson was onto it in a flash to lash the ball over Blayney.

Jim Ervin gave Linfield some hope when he scored from the spot after McAllister was brought down by Watt. A few minutes later and referee Robert Crangle was called upon to decide on another strong shout when McAlister was felled again by Watt - this time he waved play on. It looked even more a penalty than the first decision.

The Linfield fans and bench were insensed, but the home side kept pushing for a second and when Thompson lined up a shot from 18 yards out it seemed certain he would find the target but his shot hit the side netting.

Gibson mdae it 4-1 on 83 minutes when was again in the perfect place to poke the ball home after a scramble in the box and then within 60 seconds McAllister hit a screamer from distance into the top corner to make it 4-2.

McAllister was denied a second when O'Hare brilliantly tipped his shot over, Gault fired wide from a good position and then right at the death Thompson shot over the bar.