'Resolute' Coleraine finally beat Cliftonville as Will Patching's goal edges out Reds

The Bannsiders moved up to third in the Premiership table as Will Patching’s early second half goal proved to be the match-winner.

Patching then spurned a big chance to double Coleraine’s advantage from the spot but he sent a penalty kick wide on 71 minutes.

Coleraine managed to see the game out despite a late flurry from the visitors to record a first league win against the Reds since 2022.

"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 bit 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,” Loughrey said.

"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.”

Loughrey was in charge for the game as suspension ruled out Ruaidhri Higgins from being in the dugout.

And he was full of praise for his side’s defensive efforts to keep the Reds at bay as they pushed forward for a late equaliser.

He added: "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.”