Coleraine remain without a point or even a goal in the Carling Premiership as Portadown beat the Bannsiders 2-0 at Shamrock Park
Coleraine remain without a point or even a goal in the Carling Premiership after Portadown's win at Shamrock Park.
Both keepers made fine first-half saves with Davy O'Hare denying Wesley Boyle and Jordan Baker while David Miskelly saved a deflected Jonny Harkness shot.
The Ports took the lead on 53 as Darren Boyce deflected a Neil McCafferty free-kick into his own net.
Kevin Braniff added Portadown's second on 69 minutes before Coleraine's Stephen Lowry hit the woodwork late on.
Shane McCabe made his Portadown debut after his midweek move from Glentoran and the Fermanagh man was quickly booked after a hefty challenge on Michael Hegarty.
Coleraine custodian O'Hare denied Boyle in quick succession and later produced another excellent double-stop to frustrate Baker and Tim Mouncey.
Portadown goalkeeper Miskelly did brilliantly to divert a deflected Harkness free-kick out for a corner.
Boyce also had a first-half chance but his close-range header was blocked by the Ports defence.
The importance of Miskelly's save became clear when the Ports took the lead on 53 as the unlucky Boyce diverted McCafferty's low free-kick past O'Hare.
On 69 minutes, Braniff brilliantly rounded O'Hare and planted the ball in the net from an acute angle for Portadown's second goal.
The luckless Bannsiders' misery was complete as Stephen Lowry hit the Portadown woodwork late on.
The defeat heaps further pressure on Bannsiders boss David Platt.
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