IRISH LEAGUE: Coleraine see off ten-man Glentoran

Coleraine 2 Glentoran 0
Coleraine's Eoin Bradley celebrates his goal team-mates. Photo Lorcan Doherty / Presseye.comColeraine's Eoin Bradley celebrates his goal team-mates. Photo Lorcan Doherty / Presseye.com
Coleraine's Eoin Bradley celebrates his goal team-mates. Photo Lorcan Doherty / Presseye.com

Coleraine made it ten wins from their last eleven games to see off Glentoran.

Goals in either half from Eoin Bradley and Jamie McGonigle secured the points for Oran Kearney's men against the Glens, who were reduced to ten men in the second period after Eric Foley was dismissed for dissent.

The visitors made a bright start at The Showgrounds. Curtis Allen tested Chris Johns with a snapshot from the edge of the area after Stephen McAlorum's effort was deflected to him on five minutes.

They went even closer three minutes later as Marcus Kane rose highest to head Eric Foley's corner towards goal, but he was denied by a great goal-line clearance by Lyndon Kane.

Coleraine finally got going as Jamie McGonigle forced Elliott Morris into a sharp save.

There was nothing the keeper could do on 16 minutes though as Eoin Bradley sent him the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The striker had been bundled over in the box by Marcus Kane, with the visitors claiming the decision was harsh.

A slick move on 19 minutes saw Brad Lyons slip in McGonigle, but his powerful effort was pushed away by Morris.

Darren McCauley tried his luck with an ambitious volley just before the break, but it was always rising and never threatened the visitors' goal.

The second half was largely a non-event with both teams struggling to create any real clear cut chances.

The Bannsiders made it 2-0 with 18 minutes to go as McGonigle found space at the back post to head home Ciaron Harkin's free kick.

A bad day was complete for the Glens on 79 minutes as Eric Foley was shown a straight red card for dissent.

Coleraine: Johns, Kane, Mullan, Harkin, Ogilby, McCauley, Kee, Lyons (Parkhill 86), Edgar, McGonigle (McLaughlin 81), Bradley (Allan 76).

Subs: Douglas, McCafferty.

Glentoran: Morris, Kane, Magee, Allen, Lavery (Gordon 52), Foley, Harmon (Novo 52), McAlorum, McAuley, Redman, Ferrin.

Subs: O'Flynn, Birney, Smith.

Referee: Evan Boyce.