 English striker Damien Whitehead scored two first half goals |
Stephen Carson danced his way into the box and beat Paul Murphy to score the winning goal after 72 minutes of a thrilling derby at the Showgrounds. Damien Whitehead scored from close range on 10 minutes after a Tommy McCallion corner was only half cleared.
Whitehead netted with an angled shot four minutes later but Mark Picking fired an 18 yard shot past Davy O'Hare to give United a lifeline after 60.
Lee Patrick bundled in the equaliser on 71 before Carson scored for Coleraine.
Aaron Callaghan miscued his clearance from a Ryan McLaughlin sweeping cross to allow Englishman Whitehead to net his second of the game.
Murphy made two fine saves, one from Noel Anderson, while O'Hare denied Darren Fitzgerald's free-kick at the other end before the interval.
After Picking's strike, substitute Stuart King had a chance to level but O'Hare was again equal to the task.
King then played a part in Patrick's goal, delivering the corner before O'Hare bundled Fitzgerald's shot onto the bar and Patrick reacted quickly to find the net.
Carson responded straight away by scoring the matchwinner at the other end.
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