Former Irish League star 'loved every single minute' - but 'remains to be seen' how long interim spell lasts

Following the departure of Jim Ervin, former Cliftonville midfielder Caldwell stepped up from his U20s role to lead the Sky Blues into a crucial clash which keeps an avenue open to European football with the winner of this season’s BetMcLean Cup progressing directly to a play-off final.

Success Edogun kept his fine goalscoring form going, netting for a fifth match in his last six outings across all competitions, before Daire O’Connor struck for the first time since joining in the summer.

Having masterminded a win over the Premiership table-toppers, Caldwell will continue in his temporary role until the Ballymena board appoint Ervin’s successor – the likes of Oran Kearney and Paddy McLaughlin are likely to be amongst the top contenders.

"This game was probably seen as a free hit, some people would say the league game is probably more crucial,” he told the club’s media channel. “But going into that game with a win like this, the players will hopefully have a spring in their step.

"Whether I'm in charge for that game or not remains to be seen, but I've loved every single minute of tonight."

Ballymena entered Tuesday’s fixture having won two of their last eight across all competitions and conceded two or more goals in their last eight encounters against top-flight opposition.

It marked a first clean sheet versus Premiership opponents since beating reigning champions Linfield 1-0 in mid-September while it was only the third time Larne had failed to score in any match this term.

"Coming in in such circumstances isn't easy for me or for the players - Jim has brought 95% of the players here and he brought me here,” added Caldwell. “We had to dangle a carrot for the players with the club's expectations being around the top-six, in around the top-four, and the League Cup gives us an opportunity with a semi-final awaiting to keep us in the running for European football.

"I didn't have much time but I devised a game plan not knowing it would work to that effect. The players carried the game plan out to a tee and it's testament and credit to them.

"You throw the gauntlet down to them in the changing room and try to motivate them, saying 'there's question marks over you' and you're trying to get as much out of the players as you can.

"In terms of the mentality, effort and commitment, that's what's required to play at the top. The fans seen that early doors and we had them onside which was a massive help.

"We made one or two tweaks in terms of who do you let stay on the ball and who you don't...the players carried that out. I felt we stuck to the game plan, knew we'd be dangerous at set-pieces and we were.

"Larne are arguably the best team in the country and we limited them to three shots on target, so all credit to the players and they deserve all the pats on the back which are coming their way."