CRUES HOLD OFF TEN MAN BANNSIDERS

Crusaders withstood a late fightback from ten-man Coleraine to claim the points at The Showgrounds.

The Bannsiders came close to breaking the deadlock with just over ten minutes on the clock when Ciaron Harkin crossed to the back post for Matthew Shevlin to head against the crossbar.

However, it fell to the Crues to open the scoring a few minutes after that courtesy of a Jordan Stewart glancing header after he connected with a inswinging Ross Clarke corner.

And the visitors doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark after Kieran Offord pounced on a weak backpass from Cameron Stewart to nip past keeper Max Little and slide the ball home.

Coleraine attempted to respond positively, however, and hit the woodwork for the second time with Rhyss Campbell's diving header from Jamie Glackin's cross once again coming back off the bar.

Chances were at something of a premium after the break, although Dean Jarvis did have an opportunity to pull one back for the Bannsiders when his curling left-foot free-kick sailed just over from the edge of the area.

Coleraine threatened again later in the half after Jarvis sent a cross over to the back post for Campbell only for the ball to cleared off the line.

They did eventually reduce the deficit with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining from another Jarvis delivery which met the head of Shevlin who directed it home from the edge of the six yard box.

But Coleraine's chances of sparking a late comeback were dealt a blow just minutes later after Kyle McClelland was dismissed for his second caution of the game following a challenge on Offord.

Despite that, Dean Shiels' side did push for the equaliser and almost managed it deep into added time when Kyle Spence tested Jonny Tuffey with a fierce shot which forced the Crues keeper into a fingertip save to turn it over.

Coleraine: Little, Kane, Jarvis, Boyle, Stewart, Campbell, Shevlin, McClelland, Harkin, Glackin, McGonigle subs Brown, Scott, Murray, Spence, Carse, McLaughlin, Smith

Crusaders: Tuffey, Callacher, Jewitt-White, Stewart, Blaney, O'Rourke, Williamson, Offord, Clarke, Franklin, Barr subs Kerr, Owens, Larmour, Smith, Vance, Donnelly, Downey