IRISH LEAGUE: First half goals enough for Coleraine in win over Warrenpoint

Coleraine continued there impressive run of form with a 2-0 win over Warrenpoint Town.

First half strikes from Darren McCauley and James McLaughlin sealed the win for the Bannsiders.

It was the visitors who looked the brighest in the opening exchanges as Coleraine struggled to find their rhythm.

Daniel Hughes tried his luck from distance on ten minutes, but his well struck shot was always rising and just cleared the target.

Barry Gray’s side went closer eight minutes later as some neat build up play involving Hughes saw him play in Connor McDonald, who drew a smart save out of Michael Doherty in the home goal.

The Bannsiders finally sprung into action as Darren McCauley lobbed Aaron Shanahan from a tight angle to put his side in front with his first goal of the season on 33 minutes.

Coleraine added a second in first half stoppage time after some poor defending by the visitors. What looked a hopeful ball into the box by Lyons wasn’t dealt with by Clarke, who ended up passing the ball into the danger area, where James McLaughlin pounced to poke the ball past Shanahan.

The visitors should have halved the deficit on 58 minutes, but Mark McCabe somehow headed wide from half a yard out after Mark Hughes had picked him out with a superb cross.

Substitute Stephen Hughes drew a great save out of Doherty on 65 minutes, stinging the keeper’s palm with a powerful drive.

That was as good as it got for the visitors.

Coleraine: Doherty, Kane, Mullan, Douglas, Beverland, Lyons, McCafferty, McCauley, Brown, McLaughlin, McGonigle.

Subs: Watt, Morrow, Falconer, Law, Harkin.

Goals: McCauley (33), McLaughlin (45+2)

Warrenpoint Town: Shanahan, King, Boyle, Clarke (S Hughes 46), McDonald, D Hughes, McVeigh, McCabe, Dane, M Hughes (Murphy 60), Bagnall.

Subs: Murray, Kierans, Donnelly.

Referee: A Davey.