The opening goal came after the first minute of the match. Eamon Doherty played an inocuous-looking ball into the area, where Cliftonville defender Micky Donnelly controlled it with the upper part of his arm in full view of the linesman. Robbie Brunton stepped up and dispatched the penalty to give the league leaders the perfect start. The lead could have been extended after 8 minutes when Ollie McAuley surged down the right wing and produced a good cross to the far post. Debutant Danny Shipp peeled away from the defender and managed to catch the dropping ball on the volley, but his shot screwed wide. The first half continued in much the same vein, with McCallan having a header cleared off the line and Goosey Young going close with a drive from 20 yards, but the home defence held firm and Coleraine had to be content with a single goal advantage as the referee indicated the end of the first half.

Coleraine had reason to regret those missed chances, because Cliftonville began the second half at a furious pace. Tim McCann missed a good chance after 3 minutes of the second period and the home side exherted constant pressure for 20 minutes. Even during this spell, however, Coleraine should have made the game safe. First Aspinall saw his header suberbly saved by Rice, and then after 59 minutes McCallan broke clear of the defence and shot straight at the advancing goalkeeper. Cliftonville's deserved equaliser came after 64 minutes. McCann's cross was touched on by Barry O'Connor and Paul Stokes rifled a volley past the helpless Wes Lamont. Coleraine went in search of a winner, but it was not to be. Young had a goalbound shot blocked by Flynn, and right at the death, substitute Conor McKeever volleyed wide from close range.

1. Wes Lamont

Restored to the team in place of the unlucky Davy O'Hare and had a quiet re-introduction to first team action. (7)

2. Oliver McAuley

A steady performance. (7)

3. Robbie Brunton

Took the penalty well, but was caught upfield on a couple of occasions. (6)

4. Brendan Aspinall

Continued his recent return to form. (7)

5. Paul Gaston

Excellent as ever. (8)

6. Eamon Doherty

Yet to recover anything like the form which made him such an imperssive performer in the early part of the season. (5)

7. Sam Shiels

Played in a withdrawn role behind McCallan and Shipp, and benefited from being more involved in the action. His best performance for some time. (7)

8. Stephen Young

Man of the Match. Added some bite to the midfield, and had a couple of promising attempts on goal. (8)

9. David McCallan

Missed two very good chances to wrap up the three points, but otherwise played quite well. (7)

10. Danny Shipp

A promising enough debut. Began well but was obviously tiring towards the end. (7)

11. Eddie Cunnington

Steady, but unspectacular performance. Finds it difficult to get involved from a position on the wing. (6)

sub Conor McKeever (for Brunton)

Had a good chance to win the game with a volley near the end. (7)

sub Greg O'Dowd (for Doherty)

Didn't really get involved when he appeared for the last 15 minutes. (6)