FOOTBALL: Derby clash ends in stalemate

Coleraine had a host of super chances in the first half, but the visitors dominated things after the break and deserved a share of the spoils.

The Bannsiders went into this one without Rory Patterson who was away on international duty in Albania, while centre-back Marc Mukendi also missed out through injury.

As for the visitors they were without left-winger Shaun Holmes because of suspension, but Ruairi Boyle did return to the heart of the defence at the expensive of Paddy McLaughlin.

After soaking up some pressure it was Institute who had the first real chance of the game on ten minutes.

A quickly taken free-kick by Ryan Semple to Tony Shields and the midfielder played the winger back in down the right before his cross found Joe McCready, but the striker's first time volley from 12 yards was straight at Davy O'Hare.

Coleraine did manage to break the deadlock after 14 minutes with ex-'Stute man Michael Hegarty right at the thick of the action.

The midfielder twisted and turned before getting away from Eamonn Seydak and his right wing centre found Darren Boyce at the back post, the striker coolly chested the ball down and side stepped Boyle's poor attempt at a challenge, before blasting home from close range.

Davy Platt's side should have doubled their advantage six minutes later when Stephen Carson's defensive splitting pass released Stephen Lowry, but Gavin Cullen did well to deny the youngster.

Institute missed a great opportunity to level things on 39 minutes when another Semple cross this time found Declan Divin but after controlling the ball his low drive from the left side of the area was well kept out by O'Hare.

Coleraine had two great chances to increase their lead in quick succession just before the break.

Firstly Richard Gibson's curling effort from the edge of the box, which had Cullen beaten came back off the post and the striker some-how blasted over from 10 yards after Howard Beverland had picked up the loose ball and created the chance.

Whatever John Gregg said at half-time it seemed to do the trick as they started on the front foot and drew level on 53 minutes.

Kevin Ramsey held the ball up before setting up McCready fired a 25-year curling shot past O'Hare and into the net.

Substitute Sammy Morrow was inches away from scoring for his new club on 71 minutes, but his long range free-kick, which was well hit flashed just past Cullen's left hand post.

Boyce played a super pass to Stephen Carson on 85 minutes but the winger, who was disappointing all night, saw his low drive saved by Cullen.

The Londonderry men had a super chance to win it soon after when Divin's through ball released substitute Paul Lowry, but after beating the offside trap his attempt lob over O'Hare was well off target.

A long ball down field in the 90th minute caught out David Ogilby but fortunately for the big defender Jody Tolan's shot was straight at Cullen.

Coleraine: O'Hare, Beverland, McVey, McLaughlin, Harkin; Carson, McCallion, Hegarty, Lowry; Gibson, Boyce. Subs: Morrow for Hearty (62); Tolan for Gibson (80).

Institute: Cullen, Wray, Boyle, Ogilby, Seydak; Semple, Shields, McClean, Divin; Ramsey, McCready. Subs: Lowry for Ramsey (76); Blackburn for Semple (84).