'We showed what we're about in the second half'

Coleraine head coach Ruaidhri Higgins praised the character of his players as they staged a late comeback to defeat Portadown on a dramatic night at the Showgrounds.

Josh Ukek had given the visitors a 1-0 half-time lead before Joel Cooper levelled with his 17th league goal of the season 15 minutes from full-time.

And that was how it stayed until four minutes into added time when sub James Akintunde got on the end of a Will Patching free-kick to break Portadown hearts and send home supporters into raptures.

The win, coupled with Larne's draw at home to Glentoran, means the Bannsiders close the gap on the Inver Park side to six points, though Gary Haveron's men have played a game less.

"It was a really disappointing first half and then such an exciting end to the game," admitted Higgins afterwards.

"I can forgive the players for the first half in the sense that we've 120 minutes last Tuesday and 120 minutes again on Saturday.

"We were flat in the first half, no doubt about it, the ground was flat, but we showed what we're about in the second half.

"We've got another two late goals and absolutely amazing character from our group of players. I'm so proud of them," he added.

"Joel's was a brilliant goal and we had a few chances after that but when Ben (Wylie) misses a big chance in the 92^nd minute you think that's it.

"But we kept going. Will Patching put in a beautiful delivery and Akintunde showed pure desire to get on the end of it and the place erupted. It was a magical feeling.

"Aki's a versatile front player – he can play in a front two, he can play as a nine, he can play on either side, but maybe he's not an out and out goal scorer.

"But my history with him and my experience with him is that he gets big, big goals in big moments and tonight was certainly one of those."

The Bannsiders return to Carrick Rangers this Saturday, a week on from dumping the east Antrim club out of the Irish Cup thanks to a Matthew Shevlin hat-trick in extra-time.

It promises to be another tough examination of this new-look Coleraine squad.

"What Tuesday night confirms is the character that I now know we have in the group," added the Coleraine head coach.