IRISH LEAGUE: Matt Hazley claims the spoils for Dungannon Swifts at Coleraine

Matt Hazley’s stunning strike on 80 minutes was enough to earn Dungannon Swifts the spoils at Coleraine Showgrounds.

The Bannsiders came into the game hoping to close the gap on the teams above them at the top of the league. Rodney McAree’s side were also eyeing a move up the table with seventh placed Portadown well in their sights.

The visitors settled first with Alan Taggart forcing Chris Johns into a decent save on three minutes.

David Ogilby had to be alert seven minutes later to deny Matt Hazley with a great block tackle as the Dungannon man looked set to pull the trigger.

Coleraine finally found their feet with Lyndon Kane teeing up Rodney Brown on 23 minutes, but he couldn’t direct his flick towards goal.

Sixty seconds later the winger did a lot better forcing Andy Coleman into a great save as his curling left foot shot looked destined for the top corner.

Influential Swifts skipper Ryan Harpur was next to try his luck from distance just after the half hour mark. Johns though had a good view of the free kick from 20 yards and punched clear.

The home side spurned a great opportunity to break the deadlock nine minutes before the break after a great passage of play. Jamie McGonigle cut the ball back across the six yard box, but Darren McCauley’s effort was well blocked by Coleman.

Coleraine started the second half with real intent with James McLaughlin testing Coleman with a shot just thirty seconds after the restart.

On 64 minutes a slick move by Coleraine saw Ruairi Harkin release Brown, his cross found McGonigle at the back post, but Dermot McCaffrey got back to hook the shot off the line.

Five minutes later McCauley had a pot shot, but again Coleman saved.

Substitute Terry Fitzpatrick nearly announced his arrival in style as he tested Johns from distance just seconds after coming on.

Johns had no chance with Hazley’s strike 10 minutes from time. Taggart teed him up and the wide man unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner from 20 yards.

The Swifts had a sweat on in the last few minutes after Andrew Mitchell was shown a second yellow for kicking the ball away.

Coleraine: Johns, Kane, Mullan, Beverland, Ogilby, Higgins, Harkin, McCauley, McGonigle, Brown, McLaughlin.

Subs: Doherty, Watt, Parkhill, Law, Kanwischer.

Dungannon Swifts: Coleman, Hegarty, Wilson, Armstrong, Glackin, Hazley, Harpur, Taggart, Burns, Mitchell, McCaffrey.

Subs: Addis, Fitzpatrick, Liggett, Lowe, Montgomery.

Referee: A Hunter