Stunned Larne's Conference League dream ends in late heartbreak with dramatic Lincoln Red Imps defeat
Larne's European dream ended in shock heartbreak as Thursday's tie turned in minutes from 2-0 to 2-2 with Conference League progression seemingly secured.
Just like 24 months ago, Lincoln Red Imps provided play-off opposition but it was a case of revenge over repeat as Kike Gomez and Nico Pinto struck late in normal time - with Larne dealt a further blow when substitute Montel Gibson was given his marching orders.
It was a last-gasp penalty which sealed Larne's fate in a 3-2 loss overall - Manu Toledano slotting home in added time of extra-time.
Thursday’s meeting had similar fireworks as one of the most memorable nights in Larne’s history when Andy Ryan cemented his status as a club legend with a 2024 hat-trick to create a piece of history, but this is one the Inver Park faithful will want to forget.
Larne carried a 2-0 advantage into the reverse fixture after last week’s late double from Paul O’Neill and Kevin O’Hara in Gibraltar, and were just 10 minutes away from finishing the job when disaster struck.
Within five minutes between 82 and 87, the Red Imps had struck twice and Larne reduced to 10 men.
The Co Antrim club, who continue to fly the flag for Northern Ireland in Europe, have also missed out on a healthy financial windfall.
League Phase qualification would have been worth £2.7million with the potential for more to come.
Dream clashes against the likes of Ajax, Brighton and Freiburg also disappeared cruelly in the late evening rainfall.
A hot topic of discussion in recent weeks has been the Irish League’s coveted fourth European spot and the potential for it to go - that scenario remains a possibility for now.
Gary Haveron’s task will now be to somehow lift his players as they turn attention towards defending their Gibson Cup crown and winning a fourth league title in five years.
Red Imps fired an early warning shot when Nano fired just over the crossbar from range before Rohan Ferguson crucially denied Gomez after he had broken in behind Larne’s defence.
The hosts almost found an opener when Matty Lusty fed Paul O’Neill, who had several attempts denied by desperate last-ditch blocks.
Having been reduced to 10 men last week, there was a huge appeal for another Red Imps red card after Mandi brought down Lusty as the Larne striker looked to bound through on goal, but Bulgarian referee Radoslav Gidzhenov waved play on.
Ferguson was called into action once again after 36 minutes to tip Alex Mula’s effort around the post.
Captain Tomas Cosgrove came closest to finding Larne’s opener when his powerful header was swatted away by Red Imps goalkeeper Nauzet Santana before substitute Gibson fired narrowly wide.
Just as Larne looked to be comfortably striding across the line, Red Imps roared back into the contest with a late quickfire double from Gomez and Pinto.
There was a further setback for the hosts when Gibson was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Facundo Alvarez.
With the tie edging towards penalties, Toledano stepped up to fire home a spot-kick which he had earned in the dying seconds.