Oran Kearney was quick to praise the honesty and the goal scoring prowess of Coleraine striker Matthew Shevlin after the 2-0 derby win over Ballymena United on Boxing day.
There was some confusion at The Showgrounds after the Bannsiders opening goal in the 23rd minute.
Shevlin was announced as the scorer as it looked like he got the final touch on Conor McKendry's goal-bound cross to divert past Sky Blues keeper Sean O'Neill.
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But despite Shevlin being credited with the goal Kearney said the striker was quick to reveal to his teammates that he didn't get a touch and that it was McKendry's goal.
“Matthew has been honest enough to admit that he didn’t get a touch," said the Coleraine boss.
“I thought Conor looked like a real bright spark in the first-half in particular.
“Everything that was good was coming through him and he caused them a lot of problems which is good to see him delivering with end product now as well. "
Shevlin did grab himself a goal ten minutes before the break as he finished off a great move crashing his finish off the underside of the bar past a helpless O'Neill.
“To be fair to Shevy, and he’s the first to say it himself, a year ago he probably doesn’t finish his chance as he rushes or snatches at it," said Kearney.
“I think it’s a measure of the distance he’s come where he takes his time, uses his experience, adjusts his feet and it’s cracking finish."
The Bannsiders saw the second half out without too many issues to leapfrog Glentoran into fifth place.
“It was a great day’s work from start to finish," said Kearney.
“It was really strong and the exact performance that you require on a Boxing Day. "
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