Honours even in derby encounter again

Eoin Bradley's penalty flies past Aaron Shanahan 's despairing dive at Coleraine Showground. PICTURE: Derek Simpson

The Bannsiders dominated the first half and went into the break a goal to the good thanks to Eoin Bradley’s 35th minute penalty.

The Sky Blues came into the game after the restart but it looked as though Coleraine would see the game out and secure their first win over United this term.

But a 90th minute penalty by Allan Teggart secured a share of the spoils for Glenn Ferguson’s men.

It was the home side who made all the early running.

David McDaid had a shot deflected just wide of the target by Davy Munster with nine minutes on the clock.

Eoin Bradley suffered a similar fate three minutes later as his powerful shot looked goal-bound until Micahel Ruddy intervened.

Seconds later Joe McNeill released McDaid, a clever turn by the front man allowed him to put a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Mark McCullagh just cleared the danger.

Ruairi Harkin’s inswinging free kick found Bradley on 25 minutes, his flick was straight at Shanahan though. Six minutes later he crashed a header off the post from Harkin’s corner.

Bradley finally broke the deadlock on 35 minutes as he fired in from the spot after he had been fouled in the box by Ruddy.

Bradley should have made it 2-0 on 43 minutes as his strike partner McDaid played him in, but he scuffed his shot wide of the target.

The visitors almost drew level in spectacular fashion on 56 minutes. Gavin Taggart fired an audacious effort from just over the halfway line, which Ferry did well to tip around the post.

Ballymena almost drew level with 18 minutes to go as Teggart pulled the ball back for Mark Kelly, but his clever flick was hacked off the line by Howard Beverland.

Right on 90 minutes Allan Teggart drew his side level from the spot after Aaron Canning was penalised for hand ball.

Coleraine: Ferry, Canning, McIlmoyle (Watt 83), Beverland, Ogilby, Harkin, Hegarty, Tommons, McNeill, McDaid, E Bradley.

Subs: Shannon, Owens, Jennings, Mullan.

Goal: E Bradley (35)

Bookings: Canning

Ballymena United: Shanahan, McCullagh, Munster, Ruddy, McBride (McLellan 81), Taggart (Gawley 70), Davidson (Surgenor 70), Jenkins, Teggart, Kelly, Cushley.

Subs: Surgenor, Gawley, McLellan, Harris, Loughran.

Bookings: McCullagh, Taggart, Surgenor, Munster.

Goal: Teggart (90)

Referee: Clayton Pisani