Before kick-off on Friday, Ruaidhri Higgins had said it was too early to be talking about statement victories. But, after a thrilling 3-2 comeback win at title rivals and reigning champions Larne, the Coleraine manager could not help but join in the celebrations in front of the travelling support. Joel Cooper fired home the winner in a game of the season contender at Inver Park as the Bannsiders overturned a two-goal deficit to inflict a first league defeat of the season on the hosts.
The three points move Coleraine six points clear of Linfield, who have two games in hand, and 11 points clear of Larne, who have four extra matches thanks to their European exploits in the summer. While Higgins stopped short of calling it a statement victory, he could not hide his joy at the character his side showed. "The manner [of the victory] is the most pleasing thing," Higgins told BBC Sport NI. "When the second goal went in and we're away to the champions, did we let our heads drop? We didn't."
James Simpson's superb double had put the holders in front, and it looked like Larne were well on their way to a big three points of their own. But Coleraine's star-studded attack delivered in style. Cooper hammered home with half an hour to play after Larne failed to deal with Ben Doherty's cross. Doherty was involved again as Matthew Shevlin powered home a header nine minutes later. Moments after substitute Kevin O'Hara had hit the crossbar, Cooper popped up to fire home the winner with nine minutes of normal time left.
Gary Haveron was left disappointed as his side let a two-goal lead slip on home turf and described the defending from his players as "pathetic". Before Friday's game, Larne had conceded only three goals in their opening seven league matches, but that tally doubled in a devastating 21-minute burst. Haveron dismissed any notion of it being a statement win for the Bannsiders: "We've still got to play them down there. We drew the first one, they've won this one." Larne now face Linfield at Inver Park on Tuesday, looking to bounce back.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing