Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin is “proud” of his players, despite their eight-game winning streak in the Irish Premiership coming to an end following a 1-0 defeat to derby rivals Coleraine on Saturday.
The Sky Blues had not been defeated since the end of August and remain second in the table behind leaders Linfield.
Saturday’s loss was the second time this season that they have lost out to Coleraine in the derby that promised much but delivered relatively little in the way of goalmouth action.
Rhyss Campbell was the matchwinner for the Bannsiders, heading home the only goal of the game midway through the second half.
The win marked the end of a three-game losing streak for manager Dean Shiels’ men and lifted them into the top half of the table.
With close to a sell-out crowd in attendance it was the home side who edged the opening period and just before the half-time whistle Coleraine goalkeeper Max Little was forced into two fine saves.
First, he stretched to his right to turn away a Kym Nelson header from a corner and soon after he managed to punch away a swinging Josh Carson free-kick at his near post.
The visitors then grew into the game after the break and on 65 minutes Campbell broke the deadlock
The United defence struggled to cope with a ball into the penalty area and when Ciaron Harkin got a touch on the ball across goal, Campbell nipped in to nod his header past a helpless Sean O’Neill.
Manager Ervin was philosophical after the final whistle.
“The boys have been absolutely incredible for the run that we have been on,” he said.
“We knew at some stage that it would come to an end. Credit to our boys for the run that we have been on, but it’s now all about the reaction.
“It’s now all about us bouncing back.”
In a game where there was little between the sides, Ervin acknowledged it was not one for the purist, but nonetheless he is looking forward to the next game and use it as a chance to begin another run of victories.
“There was a lot of direct long balls from both sides.
“It probably wasn’t a great game for the spectators.
“I’m not going to dig the boys out because the run they have been on has been incredible.
“I’ll back them 100 per cent but it’s all about responding next Saturday [away to Crusaders].”
Winning manager Shiels could not have been happier with his side’s performance as he breathes a sigh of relief after ending their mini-run of defeats.
“We started the game brightly and had loads of good moments. We dominated territory and dominated possession,” the former Northern Ireland player said.
“There is always the worry when it’s still 0-0 at half-time that we didn’t capitalise on the pressure.
“We were street-wise in how we were able to see out the game and how to get the goal,” he continued.
“I’m proud of the players. For Coleraine, there is no better place to win than Ballymena away.
“The crowd were fantastic and we thoroughly deserved the win.
“It was a difficult period in terms of the three games we lost in a row. We didn’t panic and we remained calm. We have a good changing room of young boys who are learning.”
