The game was delayed for almost 15 minutes in order to allow the large crowd to safely gain entry and when it eventually got under way, the home side created the first good opening. Sam Shiels collected the ball wide on the left and managed to cut back a magnificent cross from the by-line which troubled the stand-in Linfield keeper Robert Robinson. The visitors hit back and attempted to mount a couple of attacks, but the Coleraine defence, superbly marshalled by Goosey Young and Brendan Aspinall held firm. Young had arrived at the ground expcting to play in his usual midfield role, but a last-gasp injury to Paul Gaston forced Kenny Shiels to reshuffle his pack and the carrot-topped utility man slotted into Gaston's centre-half position with ease. Linfield's first half-chance came after 15 minutes when they won a free kick just inside the Coleraine half. When Tony Gorman lined up behind the ball, the home side hastily formed a wall, byt Gorman's shot from all of 40 yards went harmlessly wide. The game moved into a somewhat scrappy phase, with posession being lost cheaply by both sides, but the home side brought the match to life with the opening score on 25 minutes. Johnny McIvor made a break down the left, but when his attempted cross was blocked, the ball fell to the supporting Oliver McAuley, who switched inside onto his right foot and lifted a cross towards the far side of the penalty area. Conor McKeever had made a great run from his midfield position and met McAuley's cross with a sweet header which gave Robinson no chance. The goal stung Linfield into life, and they responded with a period of sustained pressure, but without really troubling Lamont. Then, close to the interval, Tony Gorman latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the left-hand side of the Coleraine penalty area. His volley had 'goal' written all over it, but struck the angle of post and bar before rebounding onto the goal line from where it was hacked away. Coleraine survived until half time with no further incident.

The Linfield equaliser came soon after the restart. For the only time in the game, Stephen McBride found himself with time and space to measure up a couple of crosses, and from the second of these, a Linfield player scored with a header similar to McKeever's first half goal. The home support feared that the visitors would now take control of the game, but Coleraine showed great character to drag themselves back into contention. In fact, as Linfield became more direct in their play, Coleraine found more room to implement their close-passing football. Midway through the second half, a period of Coleraine pressure forced a series of corners, each taken by McIvor. Each successive corner caused panic in the Linfield defence, and from the third set piece, Brendan Aspinall found himself 10 yards from goal with the ball coming at knee height onto his left foot. Aspinall showed suberb control to connect perfectly with the dropping ball as he fell backwards and hit an unstoppable volley into the top right hand corner. This time there was to be no Linfield comeback, and despite a period of pressure near the end, the visitors were unable to find a way past Young and Aspinall. Indeed, Coleraine could have sealed the victory on a couple of occasions during this spell, most notably when Brendan Aspinall saw his powerful header bounce up and over the crossbar; and also when substitute Michael Surgeon was set up by the impressive Danny Shipp but finished weakly and straight at the goalkeeper.

1. Wes Lamont

Didn't have a lot to do, but was safe and secure when called upon. (7)

2. Oliver McAuley

Another magnificent performance. Kept the dangerous McBride quiet for most of the match, and was the springboard for many of Coleraine's most dangerous attacks. (9)

3. Eamon Doherty

A sparkling return to form for the Doc'. Spent most of the game at right-back and found more room to show his undoubted skills. (9)

4. Brendan Aspinall

His best performance in a Coleraine shirt. Commanding in the air, sure-footed on the ground. Oh yes, and there was THAT goal. (9)

5. Stephen Young

Perfect. Stepped into the defence at the last moment when Paul Gaston was ruled out through injury and didn't put a foot wrong. (10)

6. Eddie Cunnington

Performed an unspectacular hoding role in the midfield and allowed McKeever and McIvor the freedom to run at the Linfield defence. (7)

7. Sam Shiels

Continued his recent return to form. Combined well with Shipp. (7)

8. Conor McKeever

Another excellent performance from the former Portadown man. Chased endlessly up and down the right hand side and took his goal with aplomb. (8)

9. Danny Shipp

An excellent performance from the new signing. Very much improved over last week's display, Shipp showed combined a high workrate with some nice touches. (8)

10. Pat McAllister

A busy return to action from the captain after a long layoff due to suspension and injury. Provided an effective shadow for Tony Gorman. (8)

11. Johnny McIvor

One of Johnny's best performances of the season. Johnny was involved in the move which produced the first goal, and supplied the corner for the second. (8)

sub Robbie Brunton (for McAllister)

Dropped from the starting lineup for the first time this season, but performed well when he replaced McAllister after an hour. (7)

sub Greg O'Dowd (for McIvor)

A straight replacement for the tiring McIvor with 20 minutes remaining. Greg held the ball up well and helped relieve some of the pressure during the frantic last 10 minutes. (7)

sub Michael Surgeon (for McKeever)

Another busy substitute appearance for Surgey. He carved out one good chance to make the game safe, but finished weakly. (7)