Coleraine boss Kenny Shiels ignored the claims of available-again skipper Pat McAllister and also relegated Eamon Doherty to the bench in a midfield formation which saw Sam Shiels playing a role behind the front two and Goosey Young sitting in front of the back four; but his side were unable to break the deadlock. Glentoran had the better of the first half and had the first serious attempt of the game when Wes Lamont made a spectacular diving save from Philip Mitchell. The visitors should have taken the lead shortly later when Rory Hammill found hiself free 10 yards from goal, but he got under his shot and lifted it over the bar. Coleraine's best chance of the period came just before the interval when Danny Shipp created space on the right wing and pulled the ball back for the advancing Sam Shiels to shoot from the edge of the penalty area only for Shiels to stab his poorly-hit effort wide.

The second half started in the same pattern as the first, until Kenny Shiels rang the changes after 15 minutes by bringing on all 3 substitutes and reshuffling his formation. Robbie Brunton went off allowing the impressive Ollie McAuley to move to left-back and Eamon Doherty to slot into the right-back position. Connor McKeever replaced O'Dowd in midfield, while Michael Surgeon took the place of David McCallan up front. The changes seemed to spark some life into Coleraine and they immediately began to create more chances. First McKeever forced a good save from Neil Armstrong, before Danny Shipp failed to get on the end of two glorious openings - prompting some adverse reaction from the home support who accused the new signing of a lack of effort. Despite thir resurgence, the Glens almost grabbed all three points near the end when Wes Lamont mishit a kick-out against an oncoming forward - only to see the ball roll agonisingly close to the post and out for a goal kick.

1. Wes Lamont

Very shaky with the ball at his feet, but made a couple of impressive saves. (7)

2. Oliver McAuley

Man of the Match. Excellent defensive cover, strong tackling, and accurate passing. As good as full back display as has been seen in the Irish League this season (9)

3. Robbie Brunton

Sadly lacking in form at the minute. Appeared to pull out of a couple of tackles - which is even more worrying. (5)

4. Brendan Aspinall

Steady and reliable. (7)

5. Paul Gaston

The usual faultless performance. (8)

6. Stephen Young

Provided some steel in midfield which enabled Sam Shiels to have a free role behind the front two. (7)

7. Sam Shiels

Continued the recent improvement, but was guilty of a bad miss in the first half. (7)

8. Greg O'Dowd

Didn't produce anything of note. (6)

9. David McCallan

Withdrawn in the second half, but had produced the usual tireless performance. (7)

10. Danny Shipp

Doesn't look at all fit. Failed to get on the end of two good chances in the second half and was guilty of a general lack of effort. One wonders about the level of fitness among the reserves at English Premier clubs. (5)

11. Eddie Cunnington

Another fairly quiet game. Eddie's place may be under threat from the returning Pat McAllister. (6)

sub Conor McKeever (for Brunton)

Brightened things up when he came on into a midfield role. (7)

sub Eamon Doherty (for O'Dowd)

Produced his best 30 minutes since his return from injury. (7)

sub Michael Surgeon (for McCallan)

The most lively of the substitutes, and the most lively player in the team for the last 30 minutes. Provided the spark which had been missing from either McCallan or Shipp. (8)