Coleraine 1
Ballymena United 1
League (IFA Premiership)

Match Report

TONY Shields' superb late strike was enough to give Coleraine an undeserved point; as Ballymena failed to hold on for their first league victory of the season.

In manager Roy Walker's first derby tie in charge of the Sky Blues, he made a number of changes - bringing back goalkeeper Alan Blayney and Mark Picking and also giving unfamilar roles to Kevin Kelbie on the left flank and Aidan Watson at full-back.

The Sky Blues started brightly and showed a real hunger which had been lacking in recent weeks, as Mark Picking's tricky running caused Coleraine a number of problems in the first half.

Neither goalkeeper was overly worked in the first period, as both sides worked hard but couldn't create many clear-cut chances, but Walker's strugglers were certainly holding their own against the Bannsiders.

The game sprang to life early in the second half when Picking fed through Liam Mullan - and the former Antrim GAA player rattled the underside of the cross-bar with a stunning strike from 25-yards, with Davy O'Hare well beaten.

With the hour mark approaching; Ballymena were awarded a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box which Gary Haveron struck low at O'Hare.

The home custodian could only parry the shot out with knee into the path of Neil Teggart (pictured) who quickly reacted to slot home the rebound to send the success-starved sky blue faithful into delirium a the Ballycastle Road end of the ground.

Frustration boiled over in the home camp as Coleraine forward Richard Gibson picked up two silly bookings in the pace of a minute for challenges on firstly Albert Watson, and then Aidan Watson.

David Platt's side rallied and went on the attack which produced an equaliser with just seven minutes remaining.

A corner wasn't fully cleared by Aaron Stewart - and the ball fell to substitute Tony Shields on the edge of the box and he struck an unstoppable drive into Blayney's far corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Stephen Carson then nearly snatched victory for the home side at the death, when he was allowed time and space to run down the left and hit shot cannonned off the inside of the post and was cleared to safety.

United manager Roy Walker said: "I thought we had done enough at that stage to get the win, but it wasn't to be.

"I asked my players to step up to the mark and they did although we are disappointed not to have held on for a win."

Despite the battling draw, the Braidmen still sit rooted to the foot of the JJB Sports IFA Premiership three points behind next placed team, Dungannon Swifts, who have a game in hand.

Match report written by Official Ballymena United website