The Bannsiders might have led at the break but were thwarted by Newry 'keeper Neil Gallagher who produced a number of notable saves, none less than his 40th minute penalty save from Rory Patterson and follow-up to deny Darren Boyce.

But Coleraine did find a way through on 57 minutes when Stephen Carson dispossessed Darren King, took the ball past several defenders and slotted it into the bottom corner.

It was 2-0 just five minutes later when a defensive error allowed Boyce the opportunity to face Gallagher one-on-one and slip home his tenth league goal of the season.

And leading scorer Rory Patterson completed the scoring in stoppage time in somewhat fortunate circumstances when the ball came back off him and into the net after Gallagher had done well to block his initial effort.