In truth, Coleraine were awful in the first half and throughly deserved the chorus of boos which geeted the half time whistle. It took at least 15 minutes before the home side mouted an attack of note, and that was when full back Oliver McAuley tested the Loughall goalkeeper from long-range. It had been evident from the first game that the way to beat Loughall was to get past them in wide positions, yet - despite the return of Greg O'Dowd and Johnny McIvor - Coleraine had almost nothing to offer from either wing. O'Dowd was particularly at fault, drifting inside at every opportunity and consequently finding himself hopelesly out of position when the chance arose for an attack on the wing. The Loughall goal came in the midst of Coleraine's ineptitude, and it was a super strike from former Bannsider Des Edgar. From a cross on the right, Brendan Aspinall failed to make a decisive clearance, and Edgar volleyed home from fully 25 yards.

Coleraine could not have been any worse in the second half, and they emerged from the dressing room with a sense of purpose. Many times, the home team forced a series of corners, but a combination of good defending, great goalkeeping, and sheer luck conspired to deny the equaliser. Enter Herbie Barr. The much maligned official had had a quiet first half, but he more than made up for it in the second. First, from a corner on the right, a Loughall arm rose above the jumping melee and deflected the ball away from goal - Herbie's decision? - play on. Then, a low drive into the area struck the arm of an unlucky Loughall defender - Herbie's decision? - play on. Finally, David McCallan found the ball bouncing in front of him on the goal-line after a frantic scramble. He smacked the ball into the empty net from where it rebounded off the body of the prostrate keeper - Herbie's decision? - play on. In the meantime, Danny Shipp managed to head a goalbound Eamon Doherty shot off the line (why???) and a series of excellent Greg O'Dowd corners were scrambled to safely. When Brendan Aspinall's goalbound header was touched onto the bar by keeper Hanley, you just knew that it was going to be one of those nights, and only Davy O'Hare's excellent save near the end prevented a 0-2 scoreline.

So, the double dream is over. The real test now comes over the next 5 days. If the team has any character, then Cliftonville and Glentoran will meet a side who are fighting for the title with pride and embarrassment. If not, then let's hope that Glenavon and Linfield falter so that we at least secure a European place. Over to you, Kenny.

Postscript: From the News Letter report.
"Referee: Herbie Barr - Bangor (0)"
- and he was lucky to get that!

1. David O'Hare

As on Saturday, no chance with the goal and made a vital late save. One point of note, his kicking was excellent on a very bumpy pitch. (7)

2. Oliver McAuley

Appeared to be slightly off the boil. (6)

3. Robbie Brunton

Brilliant on Saturday, rubbish on Wednesday. Withdrawn after an hour. (5)

4. Brendan Aspinall

Excellent in the air, but inexplicably awful on the ground. As someone behind me commented: "that boy couldn't pass the salt!". (5)

5. Paul Gaston

Played most of the game at centre forward. (7)

6. Eamon Doherty

Not bad, but not brilliant. PLayed at the heart of midfiled, but never really dictated the pace of the game. (6)

7. David McCallan

Tried hard, but was easily snuffed out by the Loughall defence. (6)

8. Greg O'Dowd

Why doesn't he stay on the wing? Appears to lose concentration and drift inside when the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch. Provided a series of excellent corner kicks. (6)

9. Danny Shipp

His worst performence for weeks. He should be much better than a B Division defence - but he wasn't. (6)

10. Stephen Young

Never really got involved. (6)

11. Johnny McIvor

Man of the Match (if any Coleraine player deserves the award). Was crowded out in the first half as all 20 outfield players seemed to be attracted to the left wing, but was at the centre of most good moments in the second period. (7)

sub Sam Shiels (for Brunton)

Contributed very little in the 30 minutes he played. (4)

sub Michael Surgeon (for Young)

Was given the grand total of 4 minutes to turn the game around. What is he meant to produce in that time? (-)