GLENS FIGHT BACK TO EARN OVAL POINT

Glentoran fought back from two goals down to earn a point from Coleraine's visit to The Oval.

The Bannsiders made the better start to the game with Eoin Bradley going closest with a lob just wide of the target while James McLaughlin saw a header well saved by Marijan Antolovic.

Despite this, it was Glentoran's Darren Murray who almost opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a header against the base of an upright from an inswinging corner.

It was a rare opening for the hosts and came after Coleraine went close again when Jamie Glackin's six-yard strike blocked was by the home defence.

Glentoran had further chances later in the first half through John Herron and Hrvoje Plum but the deadlock was finally broken five minutes after the restart when Ross Redman brought Bradley down inside the box with the Coleraine man duly stepping up to convert from the spot.

Then, just after the hour, Aaron Canning made it 2-0 to Coleraine after rising highest to connect with Ben Doherty's corner and nodding beyond Antolovic.

Glentoran were handed some hope midway through the second half when Coleraine were reduced to ten men after McLaughlin's dismissal for a challenge on Patrick McClean, his second caution of the game.

It took Michael McDermott's side seven minutes to take advantage when Plum fired into the top left corner from a free-kick.

And four minutes later they got back on level terms through substitute Paul O'Neill who poked the ball over the line from close range.

Indeed, O'Neill almost grabbed the winner right at the end after working his way into space before firing across the face of goal and just wide.

Glentoran: Antolovic, Peers, Herron, Murray, McDaid, McClean, Byrne, Crowe, Redman, Plum, Smith subs Morris (not used), Birney (not used), Frazer (not used), Allen (replaced Byrne 71), Gordon (not used), van Overbeek (replaced Redman 66), O'Neill (replaced Smith 75)

Coleraine: Johns, Mullan, Canning, B. Doherty, Lowry, McLaughlin, Bradley, Carson, McConaghie, O'Donnell, Glackin subs M. Doherty (not used), Kane (not used), Douglas (not used), Burns (not used), Gawne (replaced Bradley 90), Shiels (not used), McGuckin (not used)