Coleraine's Richard Gibson hit his sixth goal of the season

Coleraine moved to the top of the JJB Sports Premiership after a deserved victory over Marty Quinn's Bangor at the Showgrounds.

Richard Gibson put the Bannsiders ahead on 16 minutes after a poor defensive header from Jim McMenamin.

The lead was doubled a minute later when Stephen Carson beat two challenges before firing in a glorious goal.

Nathan McConnell pulled a goal back on 51 minutes but Matt Crossan's 45-yard free-kick made the game safe.

Andrew Plummer should have saved Crossan's 60th-minute effort but the youngster was caught badly off his line.

Marty Quinn received a warm welcome from the Coleraine faithful as the former Bannsiders boss returned to the Showgrounds for the first time since his summer departure.

Quinn's Bangor started well and David Irvine went close to getting the vital touch after a dangerous cross early on.

However, McMenamin's mistake allowed Gibson to fire his seventh goal of the season on 16 minutes.

Bangor were left shellshocked after Carson hammered in the second goal a minute later and Gibson and Darren Cassidy could have added to the Coleraine lead before the break.

McConnell pulled back a goal for Bangor in the 51st minute after Irvine had headed on Andy Cleary's throw-in.

For a time, Bangor threatened to force an equaliser but the points were secure on the hour when McCrossan's free-kick flew in over the stranded Plummer.

Cassidy, Gibson and Stephen Lamont all had chances to extend Coleraine's lead but the Bannsiders had done enough to move a point ahead of Crusaders and Lisburn Distillery at the top of the table.