Extra hard

Jim Magilton felt that the toll of weekend exertions told during Cliftonville’s goalless draw with Coleraine last night.

Just as the Reds’ Clearer Water Irish Cup sixth round victory over Glenavon went to extra-time, so too did the Bannsiders endure an additional 30 minutes prior to their exit at the hands of Dungannon Swifts, with Magilton – who made four amendments to his starting line-up for the trip to The Showgrounds – acknowledging that it was a big ask for both sets of players to go again so soon.

“I think Saturday took a lot out of both teams,” he said.

“We went to extra-time and our numbers and energy levels were so high, which is why we made so many changes.

“I thought we were better in the first-half than in the second, when it was more about defending and we showed good character to do that.

“It’s always a difficult game at Coleraine and it’s always good to come away with something and it’s a point we’ve got to try and use to keep building something.”

Though Arran Pettifer was forced off with injury on the stroke of half-time last night, Magilton had better news with regards a number of long-term absentees.

“We’re trying to build momentum and we’re slowly but surely starting to get more bodies back,” he added.

“Sean Stewart played in a reserve game on Monday night, Shea Gordon’s waiting in the wings to come in and Kris Lowe came on and got more minutes into him, which is great. We’re getting our squad back together and, with so many games coming up, we’re going to need everybody.”