Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins felt his side’s performance during their 3-2 Premiership win over rivals Ballymena United was “probably our worst of the season” – but wasn’t overly concerned with points the priority for the Bannsiders.

Higgins’ men stormed into a 2-0 half-time lead as Matthew Shevlin scored his fourth league goal of the season before Jay Henderson continued his fine start to life in the Irish League with a sublime effort from distance.

However, Ballymena roared back into the contest through James Hood and a late Chris McKee penalty, but there was still time for Aidan Wilson to climb highest to meet Ben Doherty’s corner with just five minutes remaining at The Showgrounds.

A fifth win from six league matches means Coleraine have opened up a four-point advantage at the Premiership’s summit ahead of Saturday’s schedule.

placeholder image — Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins celebrates his side's win over Ballymena United. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

The Co Londonderry club have scored more goals (15) than any other team – the next best is Crusaders (nine) – while Dungannon Swifts (three) are the sole side to have conceded fewer of teams who’ve played five matches or more.

"It was a bit of a rollercoaster night,” Higgins told the club’s media channel. “We spoke before the game that these types of games, the performance is probably secondary.

"You're not always going to be able to win by playing expansive, eye-catching football.

"Even in the first half when we were 2-0 up, I didn't think we were great and certainly second half I didn't think we were great until the last 10 minutes.

"Our reaction after the game went 2-2, to have that courage and bravery to go and get the third goal was fantastic.

"I love working with this group of players, they give everything all the time, their desire to win the game was amazing and I'm really proud of them.

"We should have got a fourth, we had a couple of chances and a stonewall penalty turned down. I don't really care, it's a brilliant win.

"It's probably our worst performance of the season I would say, but we've managed to get three points.

"Ballymena were good, we knew they would be, they got a big win at Linfield so they're more than capable and we knew they'd put it up to us.

"I'm thrilled to bits with the win.”

Doherty has made a superb start to his second Coleraine stint after returning from Derry City this summer, scoring in wins over Dungannon and Carrick Rangers alongside assists against Crusaders and Ballymena.

He combined with fellow new arrival Wilson – the former Glentoran defender nodding home his first goal since sealing an Irish League comeback from Scotland.

"It's a brilliant delivery in a pressure moment of the game and real aggression, Aidan had that desire,” added Higgins. “I spoke to Aidan and Rob (Slevin) yesterday about how they hadn't scored yet from a set-play, and what a time to do it.

"It's a huge goal and they're the best ones, when you're not at your best to find a way of getting it over the line."