The winning goal came with the first serious attack of the match with only 2 minutes on the clock. Robbie Brunton found Sam Shiels on the left side of the penalty area. Shiels took the ball on his chest, turned towards the bye-line, and slid a low cross to the unmarked Greg O'Dowd who made no mistake from close-range. The early goal stung Crusaders into action and the mounted a period of pressure. However, the next clear chance fell Coleraine's way. Sam Shiels broke through but was driven wide by the goalkeeper. He then crossed for David McCallen to head towards goal, but his header was cleared off the line by Alan Dornan. The rebound then fell to Conor McKeever who missed his kick, so letting Crusaders off the hook. After 30 minutes, Coleraine were once more denied when Shiels back-header was acrobatically tipped over by Damien Grant. The last 15 minutes of the first half saw Crusaders' best period of the game, with high ball after high ball pumped into the Coleraine penalty area in front of their small travelling support. For all this pressure, the Coleraine defence held firm with Lamont and Gaston dominating the aerial exchanges.

The half time interval gave the home side a chance to regroup, and Coleraine seemed more composed during the second half, passing the ball around and frustrating the long-ball, kick-it-and-run tactics of their opponents. Durig sporadic attacks, Crues did manage a couple of half chances, but on the only occasion when Lamont was beaten, Ollie McAuley was on hand to clear Donal O'Brien's header off the line. Coleraine, too, had second half chances, the best of which fell to Sam Shiels, who dwelled too long when clear and the chance was lost.

A mention is due of the performance of referee Alan Snoddy, who kept a tight grip on proceedings without a single yellow card. When compared with the display given by Herbie Barr in the Ulster Cup Final it becomes clear why Snoddy is regarded as Ulster's top referee.

1. Wes Lamont

Excellent performance. Very safe in the air. (8)

2. Oliver McAuley

A strong contender for Man of the Match. Another superb performance from Ollie. (8)

3. Robbie Brunton

Provided a steady stream of excellent balls from left-back, one of which led to the goal. (7)

4. Brendan Aspinall

Another strong display. (7)

5. Paul Gaston

Man of the Match. Unbeatable in the air and supreme on the ground. Did more than anyone to restrict the much-hyped Crusaders forward line. (9)

6. Stephen Young

Goosey's best display of the season. Provided good protection for the back four, and allowed O'Dowd and McKeever the freedom to attack the Crues' defence. (8)

7. Sam Shiels

Missed two good chances when ono-on-one with the goalkeeper, but supplied to cross for O'Dowd's goal. (6)

8. Greg O'Dowd

Coleraine's most consistently dangerous attacker. Most of the Bannsiders' best moments stemmed from Greg's tricky wing play. No-one was more deserving to score the winner. (8)

9. David McCallan

Held the ball up well to allow the midfield to arrive in support, but never had a clear chance to get on the score-sheet. (7)

10. Conor McKeever

Another good performance. McKeever will be a useful deputy when McAllister and Doherty are both available. (7)

11. Jon Forsburg

Failed to get into the game and was withdrawn shortly into the second half. (5)

sub Johnny McIvor (for Forsburg)

Provided a better wing outlet than Forsburg, but was prone to being caught in posession. (6)