A GOAL at the end of each half saw Coleraine defeat Carrick Rangers at Seaview.

Carrick enjoyed the best of whatever chances the first half could produce, coming close to opening the scoring on 21 minutes when Paul Heatley found himself clear but couldn't find a way past 'keeper Michael Doherty.

Kevin Lynch went closer again nine minutes later, hammering an effort off the crossbar.

But it was Coleraine that led at the break when, in stoppage time, Leon Knight beat Declan Brown with a close range header.

The home 'keeper then kept out a Johnny Black free-kick just after the hour while, late in the game, Anto Lagan almost levelled for Rangers.

However, Curtis Allen made sure of Coleraine's victory two minutes into added time.

Carrick Rangers: Brown, Murray, Hogan, McClean, Lagan, Lynch, Heatley, Anderson, Smith, McDowell, Owens subs Valko (not used), Deans (not used), Bell (not used), O'Neill (replaced Owens 68), McDermott (not used)

Coleraine: Doherty, Beverland, McNulty, Ogilby, Lowry, Allen, Knight, Canning, Watt, Jennings, Black subs Cullen (not used), McIvor not used), Bradley (replaced Jennings 90+2), Coyle (not used), Moore (not used)

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• Curtis Allen is mobbed by his Coleraine team-mates (Picture: Stephen Hamilton/PressEye.com)