IRISH CUP: Coleraine boss Oran Kearney voices anger as Bannsiders pay the penalty
Coleraine boss Oran Kearney vented his frustration as the Bannsiders crashed out of the Tennent's Irish Cup on Saturday.
Kearney felt his side were on the receiving end of more rough justice from the match officials as Portadown claimed a 3-1 win at Shamrock Park.
Two dubious penalty decisions cost Coleraine seven days previous against Crusaders in the Danske Bank Premiership.
And on Saturday they were undone again when the Ports were awarded a penalty after Chris Casement’s cross was blocked by Mark Edgar – who was adjudged to have used his arm.
The decision came when the sides were locked at 1-1 – Ken Oman’s opener being cancelled out by James McLaughlin.
Gary Twigg duly converted the penalty with Philip Lowry adding a third for Portadown.
“It feels like the game turned on the penalty incident,” Kearney said.
“We were playing well and then the penalty changed everything. That’s disappointing.
“It is hard to take. It looked more chest than shoulder and nobody bar Chris Casement reacted on the pitch.
“It was only when he did that the linesman waved his flag. The game was in the balance up until then, but the penalty changed the whole complexion of the tie.
“It has been a difficult couple of weeks to take. The penalties against Crusaders and then this. It knocks the stuffing out of you, and I don’t blame the players for feeling hard done by.”