Larne showed a fight and used the hurt from our semi-final defeat to bank all three points against Cliftonville, says midfield ace Leroy Millar

Larne's quest to win their first ever Irish Cup would end at the final four stage for a second successive season as Cliftonville ran out 2-0 victors at Windsor Park last weekend.

However, three days on, Larne would enact revenge for that defeat as they beat the same opposition via the same scoreline to remain two points clear at the summit of the Premiership.

A brace of goals from Andy Ryan - either side of half-time - did the damage at Solitude and Millar was pleased to get back on the winning trail as they aim to retain their Gibson Cup crown.

"Yes, we're delighted, obviously off the back of Saturday as it wasn't good enough and we let everyone connected to Larne down," he told Larne's social media channels.

"Saturday probably didn't have to be mentioned too much because all the boys were extremely disappointed with ourselves.

"All we can do is apologise to the supporters and we now have five more cup finals to make up for it.

"Obviously, all the boys are still hurting in there from Saturday and we showed the fight tonight that was missing on Saturday.

"Thankfully, we got the three points tonight."

Ryan's opener arrived with just five minutes on the clock before he added his second of the evening with a fine finish with half an hour remaining.

Millar said of the quick-fire start: "I thought we came out of the traps very quickly tonight and showed that fight.

"The early goal settled us and we just built on that.

"It was important to get that second goal.

"We had a couple of chances to go 2 or 3-0 up but we didn't take them.

"I'll probably hold my hands up with one or two myself; I probably should have taken them but Andy (Ryan) does what he does best and hits the back of the net which makes it comfortable for us."

Tiernan Lynch’s side will be at home for three of our five post-split fixtures and Millar remarked a vocal support at Inver Park can play a major role in securing back-to-back Premiership titles.

The first of those contests is a visit of Crusaders on Saturday who are currently on a six-match unbeaten run as they aim to hit the European play-offs in fine form.

"The home support is going to be massive,” Millar stressed.

"As you saw last year from the split onwards, the fans filled Inver Park and I know it's an old cliche, but they really are our 12th man.

"They were loud tonight and the least we could have done is fight for the shirt and fight for the badge.

"I think Crusaders are unbeaten in their last six league games, so it's not going to be easy.

"They are a good side on their day and it's like any other game as it's going to be tough."