Glentoran produced a spirited late comeback to claim a crucial 2–1 victory over league leaders Coleraine at the BetMcLean Oval on Friday night.

The visitors led through a Matthew Shevlin header just after the hour, but Pat Hoban levelled from the penalty spot eight minutes from time before substitute Jonny Russell struck late on to seal the points and spark jubilant scenes in east Belfast.

Coleraine threatened inside the opening minute, Andy Mills reacting sharply to dive low to his right and push away Jamie Glackin’s early effort.

The Glens responded positively, with Jordan Stewart lively down the left flank. His early delivery found Liam Burt at the back post, the midfielder firing into the side netting.

Moments later Stewart again created danger, this time picking out Jordan Jenkins, though Ryan Schofield gathered comfortably.

The contest developed into an open, high-tempo affair. Coleraine went close through Matthew Shevlin and Joel Cooper, but Mills remained alert, producing a series of saves to keep the sides level at the break.

Glentoran began the second half with renewed purpose and came close to breaking the deadlock when Joe Thomson’s inviting free-kick found MJ Kamson-Kamara unmarked at the back post, his header drifting narrowly wide.

The breakthrough went Coleraine’s way on 64 minutes. Dean Jarvis delivered from the left and, after a deflection, Shevlin was on hand at the back post to nod home.

The Glens continued to press and were handed a further boost on 72 minutes when Coleraine midfielder Dylan Boyle was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Kamson-Kamara.

The Glens made their numerical advantage count eight minutes from time. Substitute Nathaniel Ferris was brought down inside the area and Hoban stepped up to drive a composed penalty beyond Schofield to level the contest.

The BetMcLean Oval was lifted once more in the closing moments. With 89 minutes on the clock, Jonny Russell delivered a teasing ball from the left that drifted over the goalkeeper and into the net to secure a deserved victory.

Glentoran saw out the remaining minutes to claim all three points and move onto 34 points in the Sports Direct Premiership, with attention now turning to the Big Two Boxing Day derby against Linfield at the Clearer Twist National Stadium.

Full-Time: Glentoran 2–1 Coleraine

Starting Line-up: Mills (Crellin), Cooney, Larmour (Russell), Kamara, Singleton (c), Thomson (Ferris), Palmer, Burt (Connolly), Stewart, Hoban, Jenkins

Substitutes not used: Lindsay, Douglas