Larne extended their advantage at the Premiership summit to six points after a 2-0 win over Cliftonville at Inver Park.

Matty Lusty put his side ahead after 27 minutes and Andy Ryan sealed maximum points in the closing stages – netting a 12th league goal in 13 appearances since returning from injury.

With Glentoran drawing 1-1 against Linfield at The Oval, Larne further extended the gap at the top with four matches left to play.

Here’s the story of the match:

placeholder image — Larne’s Matty lusty celebrates his goal. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

TEAM NEWS

Larne: Ferguson, Cosgrove, Ridley, Donnelly, S Graham, Gallagher, Doherty, McEneff, Lusty, O'Neill, Ryan.

Subs: D Graham, McKendry, Randall, Magee, Nolan, Austin, McAlister.

Cliftonville: Morrison, Toole, Addis, A Kelly, Glynn, Pepper, J Kelly, Wilson, McStravick, Healy, Curran.

Subs: Ridd, Jordan, McCay, Gormley, Carroll, Tohill, Anderson.

Referee: Mark Dillon

FIRST HALF

6: Larne been camped in their half for opening five minutes but break at speed through Andy Ryan. He fires across a pinpoint pass to Matty Lusty – his effort sails high from a good position.

7: Cliftonville go down the other end and have a great chance of their own, but Brian Healy can’t convert.

13: Liam McStravick does well to weave his way into a good position before whipping in a dangerous cross which is turned behind for a corner.

19: Ryan and Lusty combine once again with the latter’s tame first-time shot across goal palmed away by PJ Morrison.

27: GOAL: LARNE (MATTY LUSTY) – Sean Graham wins the race to Aaron Donnelly’s pass ahead of Cliftonville goalkeeper Morrison before finding Lusty, who slots into an empty net. 1-0.

33: Chris Gallagher tries his luck from distance after fine work from Ryan but his shot deflects into the hands of Morrison.

35: Healy chases down a lost cause and puts Donnelly under pressure before robbing him of possession. He finds McStravick, who sees his shot blocked.

HALF TIME: Larne 1 – 0 Cliftonville.

Change at the break for Larne as Ryan Nolan replaces Paul O’Neill.

SECOND HALF

48: Huge chance for Cliftonville moments after the break as McStravick strikes a vicious shot back off the crossbar.

59: Harry Wilson’s pinpoint through ball finds Conor Pepper, who tries to square from a narrow angle but can’t find a team-mate.

61: Triple change for Cliftonville with Joe Toole, Jonny Addis and Brian Healy replaced by Callum McCay, Reece Jordan and Adam Carroll.

65: Double change for Larne with Ronan Doherty and Matty Lusty replaced by Conor McKendry and Benji Magee.

72: Cliftonville applying serious pressure as Ryan Curran forces Rohan Ferguson into a fine low save.

75: Jim Magilton turns to record goalscorer Joe Gormley, who replaces Curran.

79: Successive corners for Larne as Tomas Cosgrove’s header deflects off a Cliftonville player and the second sees the visitors break away at pace. Gormley carries it forward but Reds can’t make their advantage count – huge chance.

82: What a save from Morrison! He denies Ryan from close range and the corner comes to nothing.

84: Cliftonville debut for 17-year-old Alfie Anderson as he comes on for Harry Wilson.

86: GOAL: LARNE (ANDY RYAN) – The Inver Reds surely seal maximum points as Ryan pokes home his 12th league goal of the season at the back post. 2-0.

88: Goalscorer Ryan makes way for Mark Randall, who features for the first time since December.

FULL TIME: Larne 2 – 0 Cliftonville.