Larne beat title rivals Coleraine to go seven clear

Larne extended their lead at the top of the Irish Premiership to seven points after a comprehensive 3-0 win over second-placed Coleraine.

Three goals in a 10-minute spell earned the Inver Reds a victory which sends out a strong statement in their pursuit of a third league title in four years.

Substitute Andy Ryan, back after a lengthy knee injury, scored twice within 10 minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute.

Another Larne replacement, Paul O'Neill, wrapped the points with a third goal at a snowy Inver Park.

Ben Wylie, making his Coleraine debut following his switch from Portadown, had a half-chance to make himself an instant hero inside the opening two minutes but his shot trundled harmlessly through to Rohan Ferguson.

The visitors had the first big opening on seven minutes when Joel Cooper's fierce snap-shot from the edge of the penalty area was beaten out by Rohan Ferguson. Wylie was the first player to react to the loose ball but he could only steer his effort over the bar.

At the other end, Coleraine defender Mark Connlly lost possession deep inside his own half and Matty Lusty spotted keeper Aidan Harris off his line but his attempted chip went narrowly wide.

Lusty came within a whisker again a few minutes later when he connected with Jordan McEneff's low cross but could only divert the ball wide.

Fast start

In a frantic opening 15 minutes, Tiarnan O'Connor came close when he drive forward and his low shot had to be saved by Harris, diving to his right.

Larne dominated the opening exchanges of the second half with Lusty once again heading narrowly wide, this time from a Leroy Millar cross.

The deadlock was eventually broken on 74 minutes when Levi Ives fouled Tiarnan O'Connor from behind and Ryan, only on the pitch a couple of minutes as a sub, sent Aidan Harris the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Ryan almost doubled his and Larne's tally minutes later with a snap-shot which Harris did well to tip over the crossbar.

But the former Hamilton striker wasn't to be denied as he chased Matt Ridley's long ball forward which broke fortuitously off the shoulder of Lewis McGregor and into the path of Ryan, who steered a low shot past Harris.

Larne wrapped up the victory five minutes from the end when McEneff crossed from the right and substitute Paul O'Neill headed the ball back beyond Harris.