Release Date: Feb 16, 2013

COLERAINE defeated derby rivals Ballymena United for the second successive week with this low-key victory at The Showgrounds.

Curtis Allen handed the Bannsiders the lead on 19 minutes after some poor defending allowed him to head beyond Dwayne Nelson at the end of a flowing move.

Gary Liggett did have the ball in the net for United later in the first half but his goal was ruled out following a Gary Thompson foul on Michael Doherty during the build up.

Then, moments from the break, Liggett threatened again only for his goalbound effort to be blocked by Howard Beverland.

Liggett had another opportunity early in the second half as did Thompson and Gavin Taggart but none of them amounted to much.

Beverland then had a chance at the other end but this was a game which was a poor relation of the cup thriller between the sides a week ago.

Towards the end James McCabe tested Doherty but, again, the Coleraine 'keeper was equal to the challenge.

Match statistics