And they have striker Nathan McConnell to thank after his two first half goals fired the Lurgan Blues into an early and commanding lead.

He struck first on 23 minutes when he turned home the loose ball after Gerard McMahon's initial effort was touched onto a post by David O'Hare.

Then, just eight minutes later, he doubled their advantage with a deflected effort from a Paul Walsh left-wing cross.

However the Bannsiders reduced the arrears three minutes from the break when, from a Darren Boyce right sided corner, Stephen Carson glanced a header past Paul Rice.

Coleraine looked to level the game in the opening exchanges of the second half with first Damien Whitehead and then Carson again creating moments of danger.