Late Jordan Stewart header earns Duncan Ferguson a draw on Glentoran debut

Duncan Ferguson began his spell as Glentoran manager with a 1-1 draw away to league leaders Coleraine on Friday. Jordan Stewart headed the equaliser with two minutes remaining, cancelling out Joel Cooper's first-half goal and earning the visitors a point, BBC Sport NI reported.

Watch the highlights:

Coleraine threatened to extend their advantage, with Matthew Shevlin hitting the post and Glentoran goalkeeper Andrew Mills making important saves. Ferguson's side improved after the interval and pushed forward before Stewart's intervention. The manager told the BBC he was relieved and praised his players' determination in recovering from behind.

Ferguson's debut had been delayed when the Ballymena United fixture was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. He acknowledged that his side had been too passive before the break against Coleraine, but said he would have accepted a draw before kick-off. His first completed match therefore ended without defeat.

The result also extended Glentoran's unbeaten league sequence. The Northern Ireland Football League's results record shows wins over Cliftonville and Carrick Rangers in September, followed by October victories against Dungannon Swifts and Limavady United either side of a goalless draw at Portadown. Friday's point made it six league games without a loss, a run that began after Coleraine had won 2-1 at Glentoran on 15 September.

Coleraine came into the return meeting after four consecutive league victories. Their official results list records a 3-2 win at Bangor, a 1-0 home success against Cliftonville and another 3-2 away victory at Larne. They then beat Crusaders 5-0 at Seaview. Glentoran's late equaliser ended that winning sequence, denying the hosts a fifth straight league success after their productive October run.

Both clubs' published fixture lists have their next league matches scheduled for 7 November. Glentoran travel to Carrick Rangers, while Coleraine visit Linfield. For Ferguson, the first result is a point on the road against the leaders; for Coleraine, the next assignment is another away match after being held at the Showgrounds.