10-man Bannsiders battle back to share derby spoils
COLERAINE maintained their long Premiership unbeaten run as Stephen O’Donnell’s powerful header earned a share of the spoils in a feisty derby battle with Ballymena United.
Trailing to a blistering early strike from Tony Kane, the Bannsiders saw striker Eoin Bradley dismissed for a tangle with Jim Ervin before Darren McCauley levelled with an eye-catching effort.
Andy McGrory restored Ballymena’s lead with the third well-taken goal of the game before O’Donnell ensured the Sky Blues would rue a host of missed opportunities when he pounced to earn the hosts a third consecutive draw since Rodney McAree’s appointment as manager.
It was the visitors who started the brighter and they almost opened the scoring early on when Steven Douglas’ attempted clearance ricocheted off the advancing Ryan Mayse towards the Coleraine goal, where Chris Johns was called into action.
A stunning left-footed blast from Kane gave United the lead on seven minutes and the Bannsiders were to be dealt a further blow soon later when Bradley was dismissed.
The striker seemed to punch Ervin in the abdomen and, after seeing red from referee Ian McNabb, attempted to continue the dispute by dragging the prostrate Ervin across the pitch.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, the hosts responded in spectacular style via McCauley. The winger picked the ball up from deep and went on a powerful run before keeping his composure to fire into the back of the net from 20 yards.
Ballymena regained the advantage midway through the first-half as McGrory fired low into the bottom corner after Johns had done well to save from Johnny McMurray.
United could have pulled further ahead before the interval when McMurray pounced on O’Donnell’s backward header before dinking the ball over the head of Johns but, with the goal in his sight, he dragged his shot wide.
Ballymena had a shout for a penalty waved away as Adam Lecky went down inside the area before Jamie McGonigle hit the bar at the other end.
Just as it looked all but over, the Bannsiders battled back to salvage a point when O’Donnell found room to plant McCauley’s pinpoint corner delivery past Ross Glendinning.
COLERAINE: Johns, Harkin, Douglas (Crown, 62 mins), McCauley, Lowry, Bradley, Burns, O’Donnell, Traynor (Parkhill, 77 mins), McGonigle (McLaughlin, 89 mins), Canning. Unused subs: Doherty,Mullan, Gawne, Owens.
BALLYMENA: Ross Glendinning, Kane (Knowles, 80 mins), Addis, Whiteside, Mayse (Faulkner, 74 mins), McCullough (Winchester, 54 mins), McGrory, Ervin, Lecky, Miller, McMurray. Unused subs: McDermott, Friel, Balmer, Reece Glendinning Referee: Ian McNabb (Carrickfergus)
Man of the Match: Andy McGrory
Match Rating: 6/10