Larne open up gap at the top after crucial win over Blues

Three second half goals from Graham Kelly, Marty Donnelly and David McDaid sealed a vital win for Tiernan Lynch’s side, who found themselves one down on 17 minutes after a thunderbolt from Shayne Lavery.

It was a big statement of intent from Larne who made it three wins on the bounce against the Blues.

The home side were out of the blocks quickly, unsurprisingly given their recent run of form.

They were almost gifted an early goal after Ronan Hale intercepted Mark Haughey’s short back pass, but teenage keeper David Walsh was out quickly to close the danger and concede a corner.

Hale got an effort away on four minutes but it cleared the visitors goal.

McDaid was fortunate to escape without a card for a challenge on Jamie Mulgrew minutes later.

The opener arrived on 17 minutes after a clever pass from Niall Quinn sent Lavery scampering clear, and he produced a sublime finish to beat Connor Devlin from the angle.

Hale then went close again from John Herron’s knock down as the hosts searched for an equaliser.

Larne talisman Donnelly then had an opportunity to test Walsh from a set piece but it sailed over the bar.

Jeff Hughes called Walsh into action seven minutes after the restart as he turned well on the edge of the box before unleashing a low shot.

The young Linfield stopper though got down well to push the ball away.

Walsh was left helpless though a minute before the hour mark as Larne drew themselves level.

Full back Kelly received the ball down the line but cut inside and curled a delightfull right foot shot into the top corner.

Ten minutes later the home side had a glorious chance to take the lead.

McDaid split the Linfield defence with an exquisite pass in to Hale’s path, but the young striker blazed over with only Walsh to beat.

Four minutes though they did edge in front.

A long ball from Devlin picked out McDaid, he held the ball up before slotting a pass inside for Donnelly, who fired low past Walsh from the angle.

Fuad Sule almost made the points safe with eight minutes to go as he surged forward before firing off a left foot shot which flicked off the post on its way out.

Tiernan Lynch’s side though seemed content to manage the final stages of the game as the kept possession of the ball for long passages.

They were proving resolute at the back as well as Albert Watson got his body in front of a Brandon Doyle effort.

With a minute to go though the game was made safe as the hosts were awarded a penalty. McDaid did well to hold the ball up in the box, before he went down under a challenge from Stafford.

He dusted himself down and fired home from the spot despite Walsh’s best efforts.

At the inal whistle though Linfield manager David Healy made his feelings known to referee Ian McNabb and picked up a booking for his protestations.