Coleraine started in confident mood on a heavily sanded surface, and soon had the Intermediate League side pinned back in their own half. The first chance fell to the home side within 10 minutes when Greg O'Dowd drove a deep cross from the right wing which was met by the fit-again David McCallan at the far post, but the Bannsiders' top scorer's effort flew over the bar. As the half progressed, sp Portstewart visibly grew in confidence, and created three good chances to open the scoring. First, on 13 minutes Mark Elder was denied by a sharp block from Wes Lamont. Tem minutes later, Portstewart beeached the home defence again when Alan Vaul's high cross was met on the volley by Gary Taylor, but Lamont somehow got his fingertips to the ball. Almost immediately Portstewart threatened for a third time, but on this occasion Robbie Brunton made a saving tackle from Taylor as he stretched to make contact with Elder's cross. The only goal of the game came against the run of play as Portstewart pressed towards the end of the first half. Another Elder cross fell at the feet of Brendan Aspinall, and his long clearance landed nicely for the chasing Danny Shipp who whipped a vicious dipping volley past the despairing dive of the impressive Glenn Millar.

The goal served to settle both the Coleraine team, and the increasingly edgy home fans, so consequently the second half was a lower-key affair punctuated with few good scoring opportunities. The best chance from open play fell to one of the visitor's Coleraine Old Boys. Full back Ollie Mullan raced clear to latch onto a ball from Richard Stanfield, and but his snapshot grazed the outside of Lamont's post with the keeper well beaten. With 15 minutes remaining, the home side were presented with the perfect opportunity to wrap up the victory when an O'Dowd cross struck the arm of the unfortunate Kenny Woodrow. The normally deadly Robbie Brunton stepped up to convert the ensuing penalty, but his sent the ball low and wide of the right hand post.

1. Wes Lamont

Man of the Match. If Wes hadn't made two vital first half stops, then Portstewart would surely have claimed one of the all-time great cup upsets. (8)

2. Oliver McAuley

A solid performance, but limited attacking opportunities. (7)

3. Robbie Brunton

Made a couple of vital last-gasp tackles. As with Oliver McAuley, his attacking chances were curtailed by the busy Portstewart wingers. (7)

4. Brendan Aspinall

Rarely in trouble - provided the long ball which led to the goal. (7)

5. Paul Gaston

Another composed, assured performance. (8)

6. Eamon Doherty

The best performer in the Coleraine midfield. It is a shame that just as Eamon is re-establishing a partnership with Pat McAllister, so Packie is to be missing for 7 games through suspension. (8)

7. Greg O'Dowd

A useful return from suspension, although he appeared to pick up a nasty injury near the end. We can only hope that he is fit for next week's visit to Windsor. (7)

8. David McCallan

Recovered from midweek injury, but didn't have many opportunities to shine. (7)

9. Danny Shipp

His best performance in a Coleraine shirt so far. Danny showed some nice touchs and scored a spectacular goal. All we need now is for this form to be reproduced against a higher standard of opposition. (8)

10. Pat McAllister

It's goodbye to Packie for a while, but the skipper signed off with another performance of strength. He will be missed (again!). (7)

11. Johnny McIvor

Withdrawn at half time although he didn't appear to be injured. Didn't really make an impression in the first half, although his current form more than warrants an extended run in the team. (6)

sub Sam Shiels (for McIvor)

Slotted into a withdrawn role and showed some intelligent touches without prviding the killer ball for the front two to feed upon. (7)

sub Conor McKeever (for O'Dowd)

Didn't have time to make any real impression on the game (6)