Glentoran supporters were in a buoyant mood after the superb result against Linfield last weekend and things were looking even better with just 45 seconds on the clock when former Coleraine player, Stephen Carson opened the scoring at the City End.

Darren Boyce’s cross almost found Carson but was headed clear for a corner. Gary Hamilton swung the ball in from the left and Carson’s glancing header found the far corner. The Glens though failed to build on that great start and eventually were made to pay.

Coleraine’s first effort on goal came from Curtis Allen; his snap shot going well wide (5). On 8 minutes a ball out of defence from Sean Ward put Darren Boyce clear but his first touch was just too heavy and keeper Doherty was able to clear. Allen was unlucky not to level things up when he got on the end of a left wing cross but his header came back off the post with Morris beaten. Elliott Morris was at his brilliant best on 21 minutes. The Glens keeper, at full stretch, managed to keep out David Scullion’s effort with the visiting fans and players already celebrating a goal! Straight up the other end and Glentoran almost made it 2-nil; Boyce’s shot being scrambled clear. Martin Murray came on to replace the ill, Jim O’Hanlon midway through the first half.

Ciaran Martyn combined well with Jason Hill (26) with Martyn’s header on goal being tipped away by Michael Doherty. The visitors went close again twice through Ciaran Clarke. On 32 minutes he shot into the side netting and a minute later his header was just off target. 8 minutes from the break Ciaran Martyn played a great one-two with Martin Murray; Murray’s shot on goal flashing just over the bar.

Ex-Glentoran defender had Coleraine’s first chance of the second half but his free kick didn’t test Morris. An excellent move saw Gary Hamilton (56) find Carson who in turn played in Boyce but the move broke down. Carson and Hamilton were at it again moments later, Hamilton’s 25-yard shot flashing narrowly wide. Murray played in Boyce again on 63 minutes but Doherty’s legs denied the Glentoran forward. Scott Young made two changes midway through the half. Richard Clarke replaced Sean Ward who’d gone over on his ankle, and Andy Waterworth came on for Boyce. With 17 minutes remaining Coleraine scored a deserved equaliser. A cross from the right wasn’t dealt with by Taylor and Curtis Allen had the simple task of heading home from 6 yards. 5 minutes later the Glens should have regained the lead. Hamilton found Murray on the right and his superb ball set up Waterworth only for the striker to shoot well wide. A minute later Murray went for goal himself and had he kept the ball a foot lower, would have repeated his spectacular strike against Renova. Murray looked to be the most likely scorer and once again was looking for goal from the edge of the area. He appeared to be fouled a couple of times by the Coleraine defence but referee Dunlop took no action. Both teams went for the win but ultimately the draw was probably a fair result.

Glentoran: Morris, Taylor, Hill, Nixon (capt), Ward, Howland, Martyn, O’Hanlon, Carson, Boyce & Hamilton.

Subs: Murray for O’Hanlon (25), Waterworth for Boyce (68) and Clarke for Ward (68).

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