Coleraine boss Oran Kearney backs Bannsiders to battle back

Coleraine 0 Crusaders 4

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney has backed his players to return to winning ways quickly

Crusaders goalscorers Philip Lowry and Daniel Larmour celebrate during their victory away to Coleraine

Coleraine players cut dejected expressions as Jarlath O'Rourke celebrates scoring for Crusaders

Ben Kennedy celebrates his goal for Crusaders against Coleraine with Paul Heatley

Crusaders winger Ross Clarke lunges in on Coleraine defender Graham Kelly during the sides' clash

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney has come out fighting after the Bannsiders suffered their second heavy defeat in succession.

After losing 5-0 to Cliftonville on Tuesday, Kearney wanted a reaction from his players, but they were beaten heavily again on Saturday as Philip Lowry, Ben Kennedy, Daniel Larmour and Jarlath O’Rourke all netted in a 4-0 victory for Crusaders at The Showgrounds.

Coleraine players cut dejected expressions as Jarlath O'Rourke celebrates scoring for Crusaders

A few noticeable boos were heard at the final whistle, but Kearney is adamant that there is still a huge amount to play for.

“We’ve been through some brilliant times here and some really tough, tough times as well in the past 10 years,” he said.

“I think the growth of the club in that time has been superb, and we want to keep going in that trajectory. The last few days have hurt, there’s not much point saying otherwise, and in the first half today, I thought we stuck at it after going behind.

“It’s just disappointing that, when we go for it late on, that it leaves us caught at the other end.

“We are early days at this stage of the season. There’s still a huge amount of football to be played.”

Crusaders goalscorers Philip Lowry and Daniel Larmour celebrate during