'Buoyant' Glentoran edge closer to Premiership after capitalising on heavy Larne defeat

While Larne slumped to a 3-1 defeat on Tuesday night, the Glens sealed a 2-1 victory at Solitude with goals from Jordan Stewart and Pat Hoban securing a crucial three points for the east Belfast side.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI, Glentoran manager Tim McCann stressed the importance of focusing on their own performances rather than relying on results elsewhere.

“You can't depend on other teams, we have to look after our own back yard,” he said. “We have spoken about it all week that we can't control what happens elsewhere but let's look after our own destiny and let's make teams work for it and do what we do. Whatever happens elsewhere, happens elsewhere.

“We have given ourselves a bit of a chance, we have to go at it again and it will be a very difficult game against a very good Dungannon side.”

With their unbeaten run now extended to eight league matches, the Glens go into their upcoming fixture against Dungannon Swifts this weekend at the Oval with renewed confidence, having defeated the Swifts 2-0 at Stangmore Park.

“It is buoyant in the changing rooms,” said McCann.

“We probably felt that we left a bit out there, we weren't at our best and we probably didn't get the ball down as much as we should.

“At this stage of the season, every manager and team will tell you, it doesn't always work. It wasn't for the lack of trying. Sometimes when you try certain things, it doesn't work out.

“But we got our two goals, we got the three points and we'll move on and see what happens from here.”

Meanwhile, Carrick Rangers took a big step towards securing a place in the European play-offs after fighting back from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw against Portadown at Shamrock Park.

Adhamh Towe produced a fine finish to net his first goal for the Ports but Danny Gibson scored from the penalty spot to earn a point for Stephen Baxter’s side.

“Our first-half performance was rank awful...we allowed Portadown to put balls into areas that were troubling us,” said Baxter.

“Their three forwards were incredibly lively. We started playing in a straight line with five marking three and leaving gaps in the midfield whenever we were trying to win those headers.

"The shape was all wrong. So that disappointed me in how we worked the first half. But Portadown were clever...this was an incredibly difficult pitch tonight, very bumpy.”

Baxter, though, was much more satisfied with Carrick’s performance after the break.

“We obviously got the penalty...I think we were possibly denied a second penalty,” he said. “We've caused a little bit of havoc in and around their goalmouth and we probably could have nicked another couple of goals.

“So that pressure was relentless from us and that's testament to how they've responded to what I had to say at half-time.

“So I'm absolutely delighted with our second-half performance.”