He bagged what proved to be the winner two minutes from the break when he pounced upon a misplaced back header from Liam Kearney to keep his cool and send a lob over 'keeper Glenn Millar.

It was the only bright moment of an otherwise uneventful opening period although new Roesiders signing Stephen O'Donnell might have given Limavady the lead on 27 minutes only to fire wide from eight yards when well placed.

Carson could have doubled Coleraine's lead early in the second half when he combined with Matthew Crossan to take the ball past a couple of defenders only for Millar to save well.

And Carson was involved again in another moment of danger when he delivered the ball from the left for Marty Hunter but again Millar kept the scoreline down with another good stop.