The first Ards penalty came after only 6 minutes, when Oliver McAuley was judged to have fouled Paul Cullen, but Wes Lamont guessed correctly to palm away Harry McCourt's effort. Soon afterwards, McCourt threatened once more, but again Lamont was equal to the task, rushing quickly off his line to deny the Ards man. Coleraine started slowly, but progressively got their game together and went ahead on 33 minutes. Danny Shipp received the ball with his back to goal inside the penalty area, and his shot on the turn was good enough to beat the despairing dive of Stephen Henderson. Coleraine could have extended their lead soon afterwards, but Brendan Aspinall wasted an excellent chance when blasting over after Henderson had dropped Conor McKeever's corner. In retrospect, this was a vital miss, since Ards equalised within 5 minutes from another penalty - this time taken by Martin Tighe. The joint culprits on this occasion were Brendan Aspinall and Wes Lamont, the former hitting a back pass which bounced high forcing Lamont to take it on his chest, but instead of clearing the ball, the goalkeeper opted to try and dribble his way out of trouble and tripped McCourt as the Ards man challenged. The referee originally played advantage, but when a second Lamont tackle was more successful, Mr Barr decided that no advantage had accrued and awarded the penalty and a yellow card against the goalkeeper.

The first half hour of the second period belonged to the visitors, with their neat passing movement providing a contrast to the hit and hope tactics of the home team. Coleraine took a deserved lead on the hour, when pressure down the right lead to a corner which was driven at head height by Robbie Brunton. The corner found David McCallan unmarked on the penalty spot, and the top scorer made no mistake with a powerful header. The game looked safe for Coleraine, but yet another penalty enabled Ards to equalise for a second time. Once again, the joint culprits were Aspinall and Lamont. This time Aspinall failed to pick up substitute Lee Feeney's run and as he attempted to sidestep past Lamont, he was felled by the goalkeeper's dive. Lamont protested that he had made contact with the ball, but to no avail as the referee pointed to what was by now his favourite part of the pitch. With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench (a hot topic of conversation amongst the visiting fans) it was down to David McCallan to don the No. 1 shirt, but he was easily beaten by Tighe's second successful spot-kick of the afternoon. Things now looked bleak for the league leaders, and Ards adopted even more of a long ball game (if that was at all possible) to put pressure on the substitute keeper. From one of a succession of corners Paul McBride managed to get head Ards in front, although a regular goalkeeper would surely have drawn a foul from the goalmouth melee that preceded the goal. Then, just as Coleraine fans were mentally rearranging the league table, man of the match Danny Shipp unleashed a piledriver into the top corner from 25 yards s salvaging a well-deserved point for the leaders.

1. Wes Lamont

Has to share the blame for 2 of the penalties. (5)

2. Oliver McAuley

Joined in the penalty conceding competition, but redeemed himself with some strong tackling and good defensive work. (7)

3. Robbie Brunton

A fairly good performance. Provided the corner for McCallan's goal. (Trivia Fans: when was the last time Coleraine scored from the first touch folowing a corner?) (7)

4. Brendan Aspinall

Conspired with Lamont in 2 of the penalty incidents. (6)

5. Paul Gaston

The centre back pairing appeared to be more loose than usual. Given Cliftonville's "up-and-at'em" style of play, this will need to be rectified before the resumption of the league programme. (7)

6. Eamon Doherty

Another tenacious performance from the Doc - the best of the midfielders. (8)

7. David McCallan

Took his goal well and worked very hard up front. David is not a goalkeeper and looked the most relieved man on the pitch when the final whistle sounded. (8)

8. Sam Shiels

Asked to play on the right side of midfield, and coped admirably. Provided excellent suppport to the front two with some telling late runs into the box. (7)

9. Danny Shipp

Man of the Match. Really starting to build up an understanding with David McCallan and his second goal was one of the best scored by a Coleraine player this season. (8)

10. Conor McKeever

Another good performance frfom the utility man. (7)

11. Stephen Young

Provided some bite in the mddle of the park, but was forced to withdraw with a broken nose about 15 minutes from time. With Pat McAllister still suspended, let's hope that Goosey returns to action soon. (7)

sub Johnny McIvor (for Young)

He came, he fell over the ball, he got injured, he left. Didn't stay long enough to receive a rating. (-)

sub Greg O'Dowd (for McIvor)

Didn't really influence the game, although the in the face of Ards' onslaught against a stand-in goalkeeper, it wasn't the place for Greg's brand of cultured wing play. (6)