Boxing Day defeat for the Bannsiders

It was a day to forget for Coleraine fans on Boxing Day as their team lost 2-0 to rivals Ballymena United in the Boxing Day derby.

Almost 2,000 travelling supporters packed the away stand at the Warden Street Showgrounds but there was little festive cheer as two goals from Daire O'Connor secured the bragging rights for the hosts.

The win was a first for former Coleraine manager Oran Kearney as new Braid boss and, ironically, it came against a club he enjoyed success with in two separate spells.

O'Connor scored once in each half to condemn the visitors to a second successive loss following Friday night's defeat against Glentoran at the Oval.

And with games against Linfield and Larne coming up on Tuesday and Friday things aren't going to get any easier for Ruaidhri Higgins' side.

They did create a number of half chances on Friday but lacked the cutting edge which has been evident on occasions this season.

So, plenty of work to do then for players and coaches ahead of what could be a pivotal week against two of the top teams in the league.