IRISH LEAGUE: Glentoran boss Alan Kernaghan sets his sights on catching Coleraine

The Glens bolstered their position in the top six with Saturday’s 2-0 win over Ballymena United.

First-half goals from Jonathan Smith – from the penalty spot – and Ciaran Caldwell were enough for Kernaghan’s side to record back-to-back league wins for the first time since December 5.

The east Belfast men trail Coleraine – who lie fifth – by nine points, but can boast a game in hand over the Bannsiders.

“That is two wins in a row, and hopefully we are building some momentum,” Kernaghan said.

“The only change from the four or five defeats we suffered recently has been the attitude and work rate of the players.

“We have to keep them going from now to the end of the season. Coleraine and Portadown both lost today, so results have worked in our favour.

“Our aim is to try and catch Coleraine now.”

The Glens opened the scoring in controversial circumstances in the ninth minute.

Ballymena captain Jim Ervin appeared to win a race for the ball with Glens striker Smith inside the visitors’ box, but referee Raymond Hetherington awarded a penalty after his assistant flagged.

Smith stepped up to send Alan Blayney the wrong way from the spot.

It was 2-0 in the 22nd minute when Caldwell cut inside from the left flank and dispatched a low right-foot drive past Blayney from the edge of the box.

“The team did what I asked for, and that was to keep a clean sheet. And they kept the work rate high,” Kernaghan added.

“So from that point of view it was excellent. But the frustrating part is that we switched off after the first 20 minutes, and until the last period of the game we stopped creating chances.”

Saturday’s defeat has all but ended Ballymena’s hopes of finishing in the top six this term, but they do have the incentive finishing seventh to earn a Europa League play-off spot.

“Portadown look like being the other team in the bottom six, so we are targeting them,” said assistant manager Lee Doherty.

“We want to get into that European play-off spot, and if we do that then I would fancy our chances against anyone in this league.

“We won’t fear anyone if we reach the play-offs. So we have to try and get into that top seven.

“It generates a bit of interest, and it is a lifeline for clubs battling at the bottom end of the table. So we still have a lot to play for.”

Reflecting on Glentoran’s penalty in the ninth minute, Doherty added: “The officials have a tough job, but I think that decision today was a howler.

“For Jim (Ervin) to get on the way he did when the penalty was awarded, shows you that he felt he got the ball. I thought he got the ball and everyone I have spoken to thinks the same. But we played much better today.”

GLENTORAN: Morris, Holland, McCullough, Birney, Magee, Addis, Gordon (Morrow 46), Lavery (Patton 90), Caldwell (Scullion 69), Allen, Smith.

Subs not used: Gibson, Hogg.

BALLYMENA: Blayney, T. Kane, McBride, Thompson, Taggart (E. Kane 72), Henderson (Tipton 56), Jenkins, Ervin, McVey, Millar (Faulkner 59), Frazer.

Subs not used: Ferguson, Smith.

Referee: Raymond Hetherington (Dungannon)