'He's just a joy to watch': Gary Haveron praises Larne star after 'moment of brilliance' seals Glentoran victory

Former Loughgall ace Magee netted his third league goal of the season after coming off the bench with 20 minutes to play at Inver Park, sending a pinpoint effort from distance past Andrew Mills in the closing stages to claim maximum points.

With a plethora of attacking options at Haveron’s disposal, Magee has started in just six league matches for high-flying Larne this term, but showed what he’s capable of on Friday evening.

He earned his full-time move to the Inver Reds following a special debut Premiership campaign at Lakeview Park and Haveron was delighted to see Magee’s hard work rewarded with a crucial goal.

"I’m delighted for Benji to come up with that one moment of brilliance in the game,” he told the club’s media channel. “He took his moment, drove forward and had a really good shot hard and low into the bottom corner.

"We always believe we’ll get a chance in the game and when it comes along we’re lucky we have a quality player like Benji who took his moment for us.

"I’m absolutely delighted for him because he’s the sort of kid who tries so hard to do well, sometimes he probably gets in his own way a little bit and he tries to do too much.

"Sometimes when he lets it happen, he’s very natural at running with the ball, changing direction and he’s just a joy to watch when he’s in that flow.

"He can’t be faulted for trying so hard as he does...he has got his reward and I’m delighted for him.

Larne remain second, sitting behind leaders Coleraine only on goal difference, and have now put together a nine-game unbeaten Premiership run.

Haveron’s men have faced their three fellow full-time rivals across the last four, beating Coleraine and the Glens while playing out a stalemate against Linfield.

They also picked up a late win at Dungannon Swifts in that time and the Larne chief is delighted with their recent points haul.

"We’ve came off the back of a really tough run,” added Haveron. “You probably couldn’t hand pick four harder games than we just had.

"It’s a tough run...if you had offered me 10 points out of 12 at the start of that I would have broke your arm off for it. I’m delighted for the boys.

"Sometimes you’re not going to play pretty, it’s going to be ugly and you have to find a way to win, and we found a win to way.

"We have character in abundance. When they did throw the ball in the box and lump it in, it’s very difficult to deal with a team like the Glens because they play a certain way.

"They’re very long and direct, they go into (Pat) Hoban who is a quality player and brings people into the game higher up the pitch. They throw the ball right into the box with Johnny Russell and Ryan Cooney on the other side...it’s every bit as dangerous as a corner.

"We dealt with it and big Matt Ridley was solid, Aaron Donnelly, Ryan Nolan when he came on at the end. Cricky (Chris Gallagher) made an unbelievable block and sometimes that’s what you have to do, you have to be prepared to put your body on the line and keep clean sheets.”