Opportunities go begging

In a largely forgettable game the Bannsiders had the lion’s share of possession, but it was the visitors, Dungannon Swifts who grabbed the goals and the points.

Andrew Mitchell put Darren Murphy’s side ahead in the first half heading home Grant Hutchinson’s centre.

Substitute Gary Browne looked to have secured at least a point for the hosts as he slotted home a long ball from Michael Doherty.

But with four minutes to go teenage striker Conor Mullen stabbed home from close range to secure the points for the Swifts and leave Kearney a frustrated man.

“It was a frustrating evening,” he told Times Sport. “I’ve said this numerous times in the past standing here, if you don’t take your chances when they come along you will get hit by a sucker punch and that’s what has happened.

“We played some good stuff and created numerous chances in the first half, the second half was of a similar vein, but we only have one goal to show for it.

“Their first goal was a great goal, but from our point of view I think their player has come through two tackles and then a third one wide before the cross comes in, I think if we stop it at source the cross never gets there.

“I thought when we deservedly drew level we had been on the front foot for a long period of time. Although we lacked quality in the final third for our endeavours we probably deserved a draw out of it.

“So it was very disappointing to concede so late on to lose the game. But that’s football, earlier in the season David Ogilby scored a late winner for us down at Stangmore, and they have doen the same to us here tonight.”

Opposition boss Darren Murphy pointed to Coleraine’s inability to turn their possession into chances.