Irish Premiership: Linfield 2-1 Coleraine

First-half goals by Andrew Waterworth and Aaron Burns earned Linfield a home victory which lifts them to third place in the Irish Premiership table.

Waterworth forced the ball past Michael Doherty from close-range for a seventh-minute opener after Ivan Sproule's ball from the left side of the penalty area.

Burns scored with a skilful finish at the near post in the 28th minute after Waterworth had delivered from the left.

Neil McCafferty threw Coleraine a lifeline with an 80th-minute goal.

The former Portadown midfielder pounced after home keeper Glendinning had blocked Ian Parkhill's effort.

Linfield are unbeaten in their last five Premiership games, winning four and drawing the other.

Warren Feeney's side are two points behind champions and new leaders Cliftonville and Portadown.

Coleraine may well reflect on some good chances which they failed to take.

Indeed, Ian Parkhill had a great opportunity to put the Bannsiders into the lead in the second minute. He looked to be clear through but home keeper Ross Glendinning made a blocking safe.

Later, when Linfield were leading 1-0, Parkhill's header from a Neil McCafferty corner was tipped over by Glendinning.