Northern Irish Premiership Report: Crusaders 1 - 1 Coleraine

From Odhran Crumley in Seaview

It was nothing lost and nothing gained at the top of the Danske Bank Premier Division on Tuesday night as a late David Cushley strike secured a draw at the death for league leaders Crusaders.

Both sides attacked early on with a rather direct approach getting the ball into the box. However both crosses were easily gathered by Brian Jensen and Chris Johns in their respective goals.

The visitors had the early ascendancy, winning a series of frees deep in the Crusaders half thanks to the hold-up play of Eoin Bradley.

One such free 25 yards from goal in a central position was fired over the top by Brad Lyons.

Straight after at the other end, a long ball from Jensen was headed down by Jordan Owens into the path of Gavin Whyte but his half-volleyed effort went well over the bar.

Midway through the first half Crusaders had their first glimmer of a chance. Paul Heatley sent in an inviting ball towards the back post only needing a touch to put it into the net. However Johns was up to the task, diving bravely to punch clear.

Eoin Bradley continued his strong hold-up play before turning and having a go at goal that left Jensen untroubled.

Four minutes later a Crues long throw was caught by Johns, who immediately sent Bradley on the attack. A moment of hesitation and anticipation of the bounce allowed Colin Coates to get across and intercept.

The last chance of the half fell to Josh Carson from a free on the right side of the box. Carson appeared to swing the ball in towards the back post veering away mere inches from the top left corner of the net.

Jamie McGonigle showed real pace to beat his man on the break to set up the first chance of the second half.

He played the ball to Darren McCauley who set up Josh Carson but his well struck effort was well saved down low by Brian Jensen.

Jordan Owens had the first effort of the half for his side, making something out of nothing and shooting from thirty yards, but missing the target by mere inches.

The home side almost broke the deadlock in the 55th minute as a Billy Joe Burns corner was met by the head of Coates only to be cleared off the line by Lyndon Kane.

Crusaders began to really grow in the game for the opening fifteen minutes of the halfm Johns saving Matthew Snoody’s header after seeing it late.

Then Eoin Bradley got in behind the Crusaders defence only to be brought down by Coates, forcing referee Raymond Crangle to award a penalty.

Jamie McGonigle stepped up to take the penalty and sent Jensen the wrong way, firing the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.

At the other end Stephen Baxter’s men were inches from equalising. Gavin Whyte beat two men before sending an inviting ball to the back post that the sliding Philip Lowry was unable to make contact with.

Six minutes from time the home side equalised through Cushley, only one minute after he had come onto the field.

Lowry’s powerful effort was pushed over for a corner, from which a header was blocked on the line, prompting a goal mouth scramble before Cushley poked into the net.

In the third minute of injury time Lyons missed the flight of the ball prompting Johns to burst off his line and punch. That punch fell to the feet of Heatley, but his lobbed effort tailed to the right and wide.

The sound of the referee’s whistle brought the game to an end confirming a 1-1 draw, meaning the top of the table would remain unchanged.

Crusaders: Brian Jensen, Billy Joe Burns, Colin Coates, Howard Beverland, Sean Ward, Philip Lowry, Declan Caddell (Darren Murray 76), Matthew Snoddy (Jordan Forsythe 69), Paul Heatley, Gavin Whyte, Jordan Owens (David Cushley 83).

Subs Not Used: Sean O’Neill, Jamie Glackin.

Yellow Cards: None.

Coleraine: Chris Johns, Lyndon Kane, Ciaron Harkin, Darren McCauley (Aaron Burns 78), Eoin Bradley, Josh Carson (Stephen Dooley 63), Gareth McConaghie, Brad Lyons, Stephen O’Donnell, Aaron Traynor, Jamie McGonigle.

Subs Not Used: Steven Douglas, Martin Smith, Ian Parkhill.

Yellow Cards: Brad Lyons (52), Stephen O’Donnell (90), Aaron Traynor (45).

Referee: Raymond Crangle

Attendance: 3,500 (Estimate)

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Paul Heatley (Crusaders)