SWIFT EXIT FOR STRIPES

David Ogilby’s match winning header came so late in the day there wasn’t even time for the hosts to restart the game.

The result keeps Coleraine’s recent run of good form going and also means they have won back-to-back games for the first time this season, something Kearney was particularly pleased about after the game.

“We had spoken with the players all week about the importance of winning two games in a row,” Kearney told Times Sport.

“It’s something we haven’t done yet and it is another big stepping stone for us.

“We told the lads in the build up to the game the most important thing was to leave Stangmore with all three points and they acheived it.”

Ogilby rose highest to head home Neil McCafferty’s corner in the 94th minute just as the game looked to be heading for a draw.

Kearney was delighted to see the big centre back grab another goal this season.

“It’s a great way to win a game. It’s very rare to be in that situation when you win some so late, they weren’t even able to kick off,” he said.

“The timing of it was perfect.

“Credit to David for getting on the end of a great ball by Neil. He has a couple of goals already this season from corners.

“We’ve been sore on our centre halves in the past about weighing in with their share of goals, as I don’t think they get enough. But David’ up to three or four for the season now, which is great.

“It’s important that all the players are weighing in with their share of goals throughout the season.

“The lads showed a lot of character to keep going to the end and grab the win.

“It was a fairly even game, we probably had the better of things before the break with Dungannon coming back into it in the second half.

“Obviously though I’ll take the three points, it keeps our wee run going.”

The Bannsiders boss felt his side were unlucky not to have taken the lead in the first half as Neil McCafferty’s excellent free kick was chalked off for pushing in the wall.

“I didn’t really think there was much going on when it happened,” said Kearney.

“Darren McCauley was at the end of the wall but Neil placed his free kick over the top of the wall, so it wasn’t as though he was gaining any advantage if there was one.

“Neil’s delivery from set pieces has been superb this season.

“Not only has he chipped in with a couple of excellent goals from free kicks, but he has also created a number of goal scoring opportunities for us from free kicks and corners just as he did on Saturday.”

At the other end Michael Doherty kept the Bannsiders on level terms with a good double save from a first half penalty after Jamie Glackin had been felled by Adam Mullan.

Doherty saved Matt Hazley’s spot kick and got up well to smother the danger as the players closed in on the loose ball.

“Michael did well again on Saturday with a good save and showed good reactions to pick up the rebound,” said Kearney.

“It was an important save at that stage of the game.”

Match winning hero Ogilby hopes his side can kick on now and become more consistent.

“The performances have been better over the last few weeks and the results obviously reflect that,” he said.

“It’s about getting that consistency, but to be fair I think there’s a lot of teams in the league like that.

“If we can get that and pick up a few more points along the way we’ll be alright.”

The result pushes the Bannsiders up to eighth in the table, just three points off Glentoran in sixth place.

Dungannon Swifts though look to have hit a real sticky patch and now find themselves just a point above basement boys Ballinamallard United at the foot of the table.

The Swifts have the best defensive record in the bottom six but it’s at the other end of the table where they have really struggled.

They’ve now failed to score in six of the their last eight, a run which has yielded just two points.

Their profligacy in front of goal though cost them again on Saturday.

On 88 minutes, substitute Mark Miskimmin looked to have spurned the Bannsiders’ best chance of a winner. He took a quick free-kick on the edge of the area and played a neat one-two with the tricky and troublesome Darren McCauley.

That sent him through on goal but Coleman did well to smother the shot.

However, Ogilby was on hand to save the day for the visitors and earn a revived Coleraine the three points.

The Bannsiders now face a long trip to Ballinamallard on Friday night in their next league game.

There’s no better opportunity for them to pick up their first win over Whitey Anderson’s side since they were promoted.