'Great character' in derby win - Larne boss Haveron

Larne manager Gary Haveron praised his players after the Premiership champions fought back to defeat Carrick Rangers 2-1 in the east Antrim derby.

Nedas Maciulaitis gave the hosts a first-half lead at Taylors Avenue with a backpost finish.

Larne hit back back in the second half with Sean Graham heading in the equaliser before Tiarnan O'Connor slotted into the bottom corner to win it with seven minutes left.

"[There were] difficult conditions with the pitch but the boys showed great character," said Haveron.

"The goal we went behind to I thought it was offiside, I though it was a quite clear and obvious offside but it doesn't go for you.

"At half time I was saying to the boys 'don't feel sorry for yourselves, you've got to keep fighting' - I thought we were the better side throughout the game and we got our just rewards in the end by pure persistence and keeping going."

The win takes Larne up to fourth in the standings and 21 points behind leaders Linfield with five games in hand.

It also extended their unbeaten run in the league to nine games as three points were secured in a tough fixture.

"It was really hard fought but any result you need to get here at Taylors Avenue is going to be hard fought, it's never easy.

"It's obviously a derby game as well so there's a lot to be played for - you could see that at the end of the game."