ALTHOUGH scoreless at the break the Bannsiders will wonder how they didn't manage to find the net in the first half.

Aaron Canning came close early in proceedings with a ball from the right over Elliott Morris but only onto the post.

Gareth Tommons then threatened on three occasions with his last effort producing a fine save from the 'keeper.

Morris also denied Curtis Allen with a touch while Sean Ward headed clear a Howard Beverland shot.

Allen wasn't to be denied on 49 minutes, though, when he beat Morris after Leon Knight and Ciaran Clarke knocked the ball on from a Canning throw-in on the right.

David Howland levelled for Glentoran on 66 minutes, though, when a Richard Clarke blocked effort fell for him seven yards out.

David Ogilby almost restored Coleraine's lead only to be thwarted by a goalline clearance while Morris pulled off yet another stop to a Tommons effort.

Coleraine: Cullen, Beverland, Ogilby, Lowry, Allen, Knight, McIlmoyle, Canning, Watt, Tommons, Clarke subs McNulty, McCauley, Jennings, McIvor, Bradley

Glentoran: Morris, Nixon, O'Kane, Clarke, Martyn, Ward, Howland, Carson, Gibson, Callacher, Burrows subs Taylor, Boyce, Hill, McGovern, Beggs

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• Ciaran Clarke and Aidan O'Kane battle for possession (Picture: Russell Pritchard/PressEye.com)