Coleraine players showed 'hunger and desire' in win at Bangor, says Ruaidhri Higgins
Matthew Shevlin is known for his goalscoring exploits at one end of the pitch and despite netting in Coleraine’s win over Bangor – the striker earned plaudits from his manager for his defending at the other.
Shevlin took his tally to 15 goals for the season when he put Coleraine in front at Clandeboye Park with a little over half an hour played.
The Bannsiders soon had a second to celebrate as new recruit Ben Wylie curled home a delightful shot beyond the reach of Gareth Deane on the stroke of half-time.
In truth, Coleraine were rarely tested as they banked a third clean sheet from their last four outings to remain Larne’s nearest challengers at the summit.
"It was really important to come here and win and I think the application of our players, the whole lot of them in the first half, their application was on the money,” Higgins said.
"We just looked like there was a real hunger and desire from the players to get the three points today and I think the damage was done in the first half.
"We should have been a lot further in front at half time but they didn't carve us open and they didn't create any chances
"Bangor stay in games, long throws, all those sorts of things and we had to defend a few long throws.
“Matthew Shevlin’s defending in our own box from set plays today was outstanding.
“We didn't give up any opportunities. I thought our centre-back pairing were brilliant and I thought we managed the game really well in the second half."
The nearest Bangor came to scoring a goal was just before the half-time whistle when Ryan Schofield managed to somehow tip Reece Neale’s shot from 25 yards onto the crossbar.
Schofield is starting to get a run between the sticks after suffering a shoulder injury in pre-season.
On the importance of the save, Higgins replied: "I thought Ryan was good in any handling he had to do and then he makes a big save.
"I think we can see in training from week to week that he's getting better and better and his form is really, really getting there.
“But as I say, it's another clean sheet and it's really important and I think we're getting better in certain aspects of the game as well.”
Coleraine now turn their attentions to cup duty over the next week as they face Glentoran in the semi-final of the BetMcLean Cup, before travelling to Carrick Rangers in the sixth-round of the Clearer Water Irish Cup.
The Bannsiders had been due to face the Glens last Tuesday but the contest was postponed due a waterlogged surface at The Oval.
With the weather conditions not improving, Higgins has called on the authorities to make a decision regarding the status of the fixture, which is due to be played at The Oval on Tuesday.
"From my point of view, what I would have liked to have seen because there's so much uncertainty surrounding the game, whether it's going to be Tuesday or Wednesday, is go to a neutral venue on Tuesday and give Glentoran the home gate if you want to do it that way,” he added.
"You could come in and train on Monday, you don't know where the game's going to be.
"Then we might get a call on Tuesday to say the game is on Wednesday...then where do you train on Tuesday? What time? It's just strange to me and I’ve never heard of it.”