Europa League play-off semi-final: Coleraine 1-2 Glentoran

Glentoran will face Cliftonville in Tuesday's Europa League play-off final at Solitude after beating Coleraine 2-1 in the semi-final at Ballycastle Road.

Calum Birney scored the opener with a looping volley into the top corner from 12 yards in the 32nd minute.

Curtis Allen extended the lead with a back post header from Chris Lavery's left-wing cross after 58 minutes.

Substitute Jamie McGonigle pulled a goal back by heading in from eight yards with five minutes remaining.

The Bannsiders enjoyed home advantage in the first match to be played under the newly introduced play-off system by virtue of having finished fourth in the Premiership, one place above their opponents.

There was controversy in the 28th minute when the hosts had a 'goal' disallowed after Neil McCafferty's low shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner was chalked off, seemingly for offside.

Allen was the provider for Birney to break the deadlock soon after, then the striker had a free header at the back post to make it 2-0 after fine work by Lavery.

Darren McCauley provided the delivery for McGonigle's late strike and although Oran Kearney's side applied late pressure with a number of corners, they were unable to find an equaliser.

Cliftonville manager Gerard Lyttle and Glens counterpart Alan Kernaghan will both hope that they can secure a lucrative place in European football, having been appointed during the season to replace Tommy Breslin and Eddie Patterson respectively.

Irish Cup finalists Linfield and Glenavon have already clinched two of the three Europa League places on offer.