Gary Haveron: Larne pay the penalty for failing to take chances in 'fine margins' Irish Cup semi-final against Coleraine

The Invermen’s wait for their first ever Irish Cup success must wait for another year at least after the extra-time loss to the Bannsiders at Windsor Park.

After Ryan Schofield denied efforts from Larne pair Andy Ryan and Sean Graham from the edge of the box, Coleraine then took the lead on 13 minutes through a fine finish from Joel Cooper.

But Larne replied on 62 minutes when Jordan McEneff centred the ball into the box and Matthew Lusty was on hand to fire in from close range.

Both teams had chances before Coleraine substitute Matthew Shevlin came up with the match-winning contribution when he got on the end of Mark Coyle’s cross on 112 minutes to send the Bannsiders through to the final.

When asked to sum-up his thoughts on the loss, Haveron said: "The objective was to come and try and get to an Irish Cup final.

"I think whenever there's a couple of close teams and that there, there's going to be small margins, and that's what it was today, it was the finest of margins.

“You've got to take your chances when they come along. I felt that we got off to a really good start, we started brightly and then found ourselves 1-0 down.

“It was a wee bit against the run of play, because I thought we did settle into the game really well.

"We came out really well in the second half and we rightfully got back into the game, with their keeper again making two unbelievable saves.

"We looked like we could have won the game in the 90 minutes, but when you dragged into extra time, I have to say I felt their subs made a really good impact for them.

"I thought (Dylan) Boyle in particular showed good energy to get on the ball and enthusiasm to get on the ball and they made a wee bit more of an impact than ours did, meaning they got the wee bit of the upper hand in the second half.

"We've just switched off, it just falls in that awkward position between the goalkeeper and the defender. We just switched off for a split second and that's what it takes.

"In fact, Shevlin’s probably got lucky because it looks like it's hit him in his chest and then hit him in his face and gone in the back of the net.

“On another day, it maybe slides off him and goes wide.”

Larne now turn their attentions to securing their third league title in four years as they lead the way by four points heading into the final four games of the season.

As fate would have it, Larne and Coleraine play each other on Easter Tuesday as the Bannsiders make their way to Inver Park.

"I think the players need no more extra motivation than that,” Haveron stated.

"If you lose a semi-final, especially when you play the same opposition, you've got a great opportunity to bounce back and put it right.

"Both teams will have to see what their bodies are like as there was a lot put into that.

"I think when everybody gets to this stage of the season, they want to get it wrapped up but everybody's the same in that.

"We're no different to Coleraine and they'll still have something to play for, obviously, within the league.

"The Glens and all the other teams, they'll still have something to play for.”