League of Ireland Premiership: Glentoran battles back to beat 10-man Coleraine

Glentoran staged a remarkable comeback to defeat 10-man Coleraine 2-1 and get their title aspirations back on track on a dramatic night at the Oval.

The visitors took the lead with Matthew Shefflin’s goal after the hour mark, but Pat Hoban equalized from a penalty kick 10 minutes from time before Jonathan Russell sealed the points in the 89th minute.

Coleraine sent off midfielder Dylan Boyle 20 minutes from time for a challenge on Michael John Kamara, before coach Ruaidri Higgins and his assistant Kevin Derry were sent off in extra time.

Coleraine almost opened the scoring after just 50 seconds as Coleraine midfielder Jimmy Glackin tried his luck from distance but Glentoran goalkeeper Andrew Mills was up to the task as he jumped to his right to make the save.

A few minutes later, Liam Burt fired a shot into the side netting from Jordan Stewart’s cross while Joel Cooper did the same at the other end soon after as the game got underway in frantic fashion.

Chances continued to arise in the first 45 minutes as Mills denied Matthew Shefflin with an outstretched foot while Daniel Larmour’s powerful shot from 15 yards out in front of goal was held out by Coleraine keeper Ryan Schofield.

Joel Cooper went close twice before half-time in a scoreless first half, curling a right-footed shot wide from a tight angle before forcing Mills to make a smart save from a left-footed shot after good work from Dean Jarvis on the left wing.