Gary Haveron proud as leaders Larne take 'another step closer to where we want to be' after Glentoran stalemate

The pair couldn’t be separated in East Belfast with the Inver Reds carrying a three-point advantage into next weekend’s last match – they’ll be at home to Dungannon Swifts while the Glens travel to Coleraine.

Coleraine could yet win their first Gibson Cup crown since 1974 – they’re six points adrift of Larne with two matches left to go, including a trip to Linfield on Saturday.

Here’s what Larne manager Gary Haveron had to say after the match:

HOW DO YOU SUM THAT UP?

"Great, determined, big heart, we put our bodies on the line – all the things that you ask for in a team when you come to places like The Oval.

"You know how difficult it's going to be with their big, big crowd behind them and everything else, and obviously they're a very, very good side with the amount of players they have at their disposal to come into games.

"So we had to be those things to come here and get a result.

"We had some really good chances as well in the game. Their goalkeeper actually made two, three unbelievable saves, so we probably could have nicked it.

"But what we did do, we packed the box really well, we defended it really well, we put our bodies on the line.

"I don't remember Ro Ferguson making a save in the whole 90 minutes – that’s not to say they didn't have a few near misses and the couple of free-kicks near the end were going to give me a heart attack.

"But all in all, I'm delighted to come away here with a point...it's another step closer to where we want to be.”

MOST IMPORTANT THING TO LEAVE HERE WITH FATE STILL IN YOUR HANDS?

"Yeah, absolutely, it’s what you always want.

"You always want to have it in your own hands. It's obviously been a very, very tight season and the end of the season will be very tight.

"We'll have to go to Inver Park next week and be prepared for Dungannon. They'll come and pose a real problem for us.

"They're a very, very good side and Rodney's (McAree) had an excellent season with getting to the Irish Cup final, so we know how difficult a task it's going to be.

"But again, you've got to keep on giving yourself chances and hopefully we can take them on Saturday and defend as well as we did tonight.

"Hopefully we can take another big step forward.”

EXCITING TIMES BEING ONE STEP AWAY – BEEN A GREAT PERIOD OF SUCCESS FOR LARNE?

"It really has been.

"Obviously the back-to-back league titles and then finishing second, but the Conference League on top of it as well was brilliant.

"To be in the mix for the title again this year, it shows you that it's been a great period for Larne Football Club.

"We’ve still got a hell of a lot to do to try and catch some of the other clubs with their history and everything else, but we keep on adding to it and we keep on trying to make it better.

"I think that's your job as a manager, to make your club’s history a little bit richer during the time that you're there.

"I've had nothing but great times since I've been at Larne. It's been incredible the journey we've been on. I'm very, very proud of that.”