Coleraine suffer their first defeat of season

Coleraine manager Ruadhri Higgins admitted he and his players were 'hurting' after losing their unbeaten record in a 2-1 home defeat to Glentoran at the Showgrounds on Friday night.

A below par second half performance saw the home side throw away a 1-0 half-time advantage given to them by Kodi Lyons-Foster as Jordan Stewart struck twice after the break to seal a 2-1 away win.

It's a first defeat of the campaign for the Bannsiders while it's now eight games unbeaten for the Glens, who stretch their lead at the top of the table as a result.

Former Glentoran man Kodi Lyons-Foster opened the scoring for the hosts after just eight minutes, heading home a Levi Ives corner at the back post in front of the large away support.

And that was how it stayed until half-time, thanks largely to Glens goalkeeper Andrew Mitchell who produced a string of fine saves to deny Matthew Shevlin and Will Patching on two occasions.

It was a different story after the restart, however, as Declan Devine's team seized the initiative.

Jordan Stewart volleyed home the first of his two goals to level the match after 52 minutes when Coleraine failed to initially to deal with a corner and then a ball back into the box.

And 20 minutes from time he again capitalised on some poor Coleraine defending to race clear and fire home past Aidan Harris at his near post for what proved to be the winner.

Second half sub' Declan McManus was denied by an outstretched foot from Mills minutes from the end before fellow replacement Zane Okoro saw his goal bound effort cleared off the line by Ryan Cooney.