They might have taken an early lead through Stephen Garrett whose cross forced Coleraine 'keeper Lawrence McCormick into an excellent save as the ball dipped just under the bar while a later Joe McDonnell free-kick fizzled narrowly over.

The chances followed through Tony Anderson, Darren King and Paul Prigent before, on 26 minutes, Coleraine were reduced to ten men when Jody Tolan was dismissed for a challenge on Paddy McLaughlin.

Despite that it took City until the 62nd minute to find a way through when a Lee Feeney ball from the left was met and scrambled past McCormick by Emmett Friars.

Garrett came close to doubling their advantage later in the half with a shot into the side netting while, at the other end, Damien Whitehead squandered an excellent chance of an equaliser with a tame header straight at Robert Robinson.

Darren Boyce also came close only to be denied by a superb stop from the Newry 'keeper while Whitehead tested him again with another effort in stoppage time.