COLERAINE have the opportunity to ensure a place in the top six for the post-split fixtures in the Sports Direct Premiership when they host Dungannon Swifts tomorrow afternoon.
The Bannsiders have endured a difficult campaign, with manager Oran Kearney coming under fierce pressure after a disastrous December and January period.
However, things are looking up at the Showgrounds, with only one defeat in their last six games, a run that includes a 3-0 demolition of title-chasing Linfield.
And experienced midfielder Stephen Lowry is hopeful “momentum” can help them clinch the three points against Dungannon tomorrow, meaning they would be facing the best teams in the league in the final five games of the campaign.
With closest rivals Carrick Rangers two points behind and not in action until Easter Tuesday as a result of Linfield’s international call-ups, Coleraine have a headstart.
A draw is likely to be enough for Kearney’s men, unless Carrick record a huge win over the Blues. However, Lowry is in no mood to leave anything to chance.
“For us it is all about using the momentum that we have built,” said the Limavady man.
“Yes, we had a bit of a blip earlier in the season, but I’m all about looking forward and we know the job we have to do.
“We have a lot of motivation left in the squad, and we feel that we are over the worst of our injuries. Not using that as an excuse, but we feel like a fresh team at the minute.”
Lowry himself has been out of action for large swathes of the season due to a niggling Achilles tendon issue but has forced himself into Kearney’s starting team in recent weeks.
“I feel good and raring to go,” said the 37-year-old.
“The competition is good at the moment and the body feels good. “I hadn’t played that much pre-Christmas, so I’m feeling that I’m just peaking at the right time.”
The Bannsiders will need to be on top of their game against a welldrilled Rodney McAree side.
Despite struggling with inconsistent results in recent months, the Swifts have managed some huge upsets and Lowry is aware of the scale of the task in hand.
“We are under no illusions that this will be a tough game,” he said.
“When you look at what Dungannon have achieved in recent weeks, like their win over Linfield at Windsor Park and then backing that up with a fantastic win over Cliftonville, we know we will be made to work for the points.
“It’s about looking after our own game first and foremost, keeping it tight at the back and we know we have the weapons in attack with Matthew Shevlin and Jamie McGonigle who can hurt sides.”
Dungannon may not be in the hunt for top-six football but a win would banish any lingering fears of being sucked into a relegation battle. They are in 10th spot, a healthy 12 points ahead of Ballymena United in 11th.
However, they have conceded seven goals without scoring in their last two games and will be keen to end the rot.
They will also take confidence from their visit to the Showgrounds earlier in the campaign when they ran out impressive 3-2 winners and will hope to repeat the dose.