Highlights: Coleraine 1-1 Glentoran

Damian Mullen
BBC Sport NI contributor

Duncan Ferguson's reign as Glentoran manager got off to a positive start as his side came from a goal behind to rescue a 1-1 draw at league leaders Coleraine.

Joel Cooper fired the hosts in front with a wonderful finish midway through the first half as Coleraine dominated.

The Glens responded in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts when Jordan Stewart snuck in unmarked at the back post to head home past Lewis Webb from close range.

Ferguson is up and running as Glens boss while opposite number Ruaidhri Higgins is left to reflect on Matthew Shevlin hitting the woodwork when the home side were leading 1-0.

After a relatively quiet opening quarter the home side broke the deadlock midway through the first half through a tremendous strike from the in-form Cooper.

The former Linfield man received a pass from Ben Wylie, took a touch and curled an exquisite left-foot effort into the top corner past the despairing dive of Glens' keeper Andrew Mills from the edge of the box.

Coleraine continued to dominate and came close through Rowan McDonald and Finn Tonks but neither was able to keep their efforts on target.

At the other end, Coleraine goalkeeper Lewis Webb had little to do but he was quickly off his line to dive bravely at the feet of Jordan Jenkins, referee Christopher Morrison waving away Glentoran appeals for a penalty.

Cooper had the ball in the Glentoran net seconds after half-time but he was denied a second of the night by an assistant referee's flag raised for offside.

Matthew Shevlin came close moments later after being put through by a clever pass from Tonks.

The big striker showed great strength to hold off his marker and get his shot away, only for his well struck effort to rebound off the base of a post before being cleared by a relieved Glentoran defence.

At the other end Coleraine goalkeeper Webb was called into action for the first time eight minutes into the second half to deny Stewart's curling effort from just inside the penalty area.

Minutes later he was diving to his left to parry away a James Douglas effort from distance as the visitors began to dominate.

Coleraine, though, continued to carry a threat on the counter attack and Lyndon Kane was denied by a brilliant reaction save from Mills, as the Glens goalkeeper stuck out a foot to deny the second half half substitute.

And Mills was at it again moments later, again saving with his foot, this time saving from Ben Doherty following a marauding run down the left by the left back.

It proved a vital block as Glentoran struck for the equaliser with just two minutes remaining, Stewart stealing in at the back post to head past Webb from close range following a deep cross from the opposite side.

It's a first point on the board for Ferguson while Coleraine consolidate their place at the top of the table.