Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
O’DONNELL’S DERBY POINT
Stephen’s 10-man Bannsiders make a statement with late strike
TEN man Coleraine showed remarkable character to salvage a share of the spoils in a dramatic derby with Ballymena United at the Showgrounds.
The Bannmen, who had Eoin Bradley red carded for a rabbit punch on Jim Ervin 14 minutes in, looked set to suffer their first league defeat in 10 months.
United led twice through Tony Kane and Andy Mcgrory, but on both occasions Rodney Mcaree’s men hit back with goals from Darren Mccauley and Stephen O’donnell.
The visitors took the lead in spectacular style when Kane – who married his partner Ashleen on Friday – fired home seven minutes in.
There seemed little danger as the midfielder sized up a shot 25 yards out with his unfavoured left foot, but he arrowed a stunning effort into the top corner.
Kane ran off to celebrate in front of the United fans, pointing to his wedding finger as he marked his second goal of the season in style.
Coleraine were reduced to 10 men in the 14th minute when Bradley suffered a rush of blood to the head after a coming together with Ervin.
Whatever Ervin did clearly irritated the big striker who punched the United skipper in the ribs, drawing an instant red card from referee Ian Mcnabb.
Remarkably, Coleraine’s 10-men were back on level terms four minutes later when Mccauley produced a moment to remember.
Released by Jamie Mcgonigle, the winger cut inside and blasted an unstoppable shot into the far corner past the diving Ross Glendinning.
United were back in front on 32 minutes when Mcgrory despatched a low shot into the bottom corner after Mcmurray’s initial shot was parried by Chris Johns.
Mcmurray forced a scrambled save from Johns in the 37th minute, before the United striker spurned a golden chance to make it 3-1 in first-half stoppage time.
Nicking the ball past the onrushing Johns, the striker had an open goal to aim at, but rather than make sure with an assured side foot, he opted to blast and missed the target.
Ballymena were claiming a penalty on the hour mark when Adam Lecky appeared to be caught by Aaron Canning inside the area, but referee Mcnabb waved play on.
Coleraine were reduced to rare forays into the United half – but almost levelled in the 74th minute when Mcgonigle’s angled dipper crashed off the crossbar.
At the other end, Kane fizzed a long distance shot over the bar before the Bannmen bagged their equaliser 11 minutes from time.
Mccauley’s corner found the unmarked O’donnell who directed a close range header in off the underside of the bar for his first goal of the season.