Larne manager Gary Haveron hailed “absolutely outstanding” Dan Bent for pushing through the pain barrier to play a key role in their crucial Conference League play-off first leg win over Lincoln Red Imps in Gibraltar.

Bent was a major injury concern for Thursday’s clash after being replaced just 14 minutes into Saturday’s Premiership stalemate with Coleraine.

Despite suffering an AC joint issue in his shoulder, Bent started at the Europa Point Stadium as the reigning Irish League champions took a major step towards securing Conference League qualification thanks to late goals from Paul O’Neill and Kevin O’Hara.

Bent was returning to the country he represents at international level – the 30-year-old has played 17 times for Gibraltar, scoring twice, and also spent time there in club football with Bruno's Magpies, Manchester 62 and the Red Imps.

placeholder image — Larne manager Gary Haveron. (Photo by Pacemaker Press)

Versatile Bent – with a heavily strapped shoulder – helped Larne keep a clean sheet in a solid defensive display alongside Matt Ridley and Aaron Donnelly.

Haveron also reserved special praise for midfielder Ronan Doherty, who has started in all seven of Larne’s European matches this summer alongside playing 90 minutes in their league opener against former club Coleraine on Saturday.

"Legs and energy, the lad (Doherty) is a lovely footballer, always was,” Haveron told the club’s media channel. “I had huge admiration for him when he was at Cliftonville, he moved to Coleraine and it didn’t quite work out for him there.

"For us, he made us tick tonight, he was so energetic, his legs and energy just kept driving us on.

"I have to say, Dan Bent was absolutely outstanding. I know he was coming back home here to Gibraltar, I know how proud he is to be from here – and he showed that with his performance.

"I thought he was colossal, him and Rids (Ridley), Donzo (Donnelly), Tomas (Cosgrove) at the back, they defended ever so well.

"We reduced them to not many chances. Ro (Ferguson) hasn’t had many saves to make, I’m delighted with Dan because lesser people wouldn’t have played.

"He does have a bad AC joint injury, he’s heavily strapped and on painkillers, but he put himself on the line and what a performance he put in for us.”

Larne are now on the cusp of securing a whopping €3.17million in prize money – and could potentially bank even further with positive results as a League Phase win is worth €400,000 and draw €133,000.

They’ll host the Red Imps at Inver Park on Thursday night as they look for a repeat result from two years ago when Andy Ryan’s famous hat-trick helped create a piece of history.

If Larne seal progression, the likes of Scottish giants Rangers, Monaco and Brighton could provide potential opposition.