TRAYNOR AND GAWNE ON TARGET FOR BANNSIDERS
A goal at either end of the game helped Coleraine defeat Carrick Rangers at the Loughshore Hotel Arena.
Aaron Traynor, with his second goal of the season, volleyed the Bannsiders in front after 11 minutes when he latched onto a flick into the six yard box.
Carrick had started well and responded positively to going behind but their final ball was lacking and, indeed, they might have fallen further behind towards the break only for Liam McAuley to keep out Emmett McGuckin's glancing header.
Then, seven minutes after the break, Josh Carson squandered an opportunity to make it 2-0. Coleraine were awarded a penalty after Daniel Kelly had brought down Stephen O'Donnell but McAuley correctly dived to keep out Carson's spot-kick.
Niall Currie's side pressed hard for the equaliser, coming close when Michael Smith sent a header just past the woodwork before Chris Johns produced a superb stop to as a William Faulkner strike looked destined for the top corner, and then again after that to thwart Stewart Nixon.
But, with six minutes left, Coleraine doubled their advantage through substitute Alex Gawne when he made no mistake from close range after Ian Parkhill's initial effort was blocked.
Carrick almost earned a late consolation when Mark Carson's cross drifted onto the woodwork with four minutes remaining.
Carrick Rangers: McAuley, Neale, Surgenor, Rodgers, Loughran, Chapman, Faulkner, D. Kelly, Nixon, Smith, Anderson subs Nicholl (not used), Carson (replaced Chapman 36), Magill (not used), Keke (replaced Smith 65), Hassin (replaced Anderson 73), Doyle (not used), McGreevy (not used)
Coleraine: Johns, Kane, Canning, Carson, McConaghie, O'Donnell, Parkhill, Glackin, Traynor, McGuckin, Maciulaitis subs Gallagher (not used), Douglas (not used), Bradley (replaced McGuckin 76), Gawne (replaced Maciulaitis 65), Nevin (replaced Glackin 80)
Substitution 
Substitution 
