Conor Loughrey conceded Coleraine’s performance against Cliftonville ‘wasn’t pretty’ but they managed to get the job done by earning all three points.

Here’s what he had to say after Will Patching’s goal edged the Bannsiders to a 1-0 victory.

Loughrey was on managerial duties after Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins was suspended for accumulating three yellow cards.

THOUGHTS ON THE GAME?

placeholder image — Coleraine assistant coach Conor Loughrey (right)

"We've found it since we've got here, myself and Ruaidhri, the European game here last year, the games of Solitude this season, it's been a wee it like Glentoran, where we've probably felt we've been dominant in the games and have left very little or nothing, so we're delighted to still get the three points.

"Not all the games are going to be pretty.

"Today's game probably wasn't the prettiest, despite being two football teams, but near the end, it just got a wee bit stretched and untidy and like I say, we’re delighted with three points and we'll move on to Glentoran.

PATCHING’S MATCH-WINNER:

"Will in those situations I probably expected the first one to go in.

"But he was the one that stayed alive and he's done really well to control his finish for the winner, as it turned out to be.

"He could have made life a lot easier if he had of slotted home the penalty but he's a wee bit out of practise and we've only had a couple of them.

"He’s normally really good in those situations and he's really calm and controlled...but we're just delighted with the three points.

GOOD CLEAN SHEET?

"Yeah, brilliant.

"Despite them probably putting balls in the box for the last 10 or 15 minutes, I thought we stood up really well.

"I don't remember Ryan (Schofield) having to make, he's had to catch a few, but I don't remember any real big saves or anything else in it.

"I think earlier in the season we'd probably have drawn that game and I think we're a lot more resolute now and the boys stood up to it really well.

"The back four, Charles Dunne and Mark Connolly, and then Cameron Stewart when he came in along with Ryan were really manful and strong in our box and we needed to be.

"It was probably like I say, lacking a wee bit earlier in the season but thankfully, we've kept a clean sheet today.”