MJ Kamson-Kamara believes Glentoran can take plenty of positives from their battling display at Larne as they return to the BetMcLean Oval to face Ballymena United on Saturday afternoon (Kick-off 3pm).

Despite playing more than 20 minutes with ten men, Declan Devine’s side looked set for an impressive victory at Inver Park after Pat Hoban’s clinical brace turned the game on its head following an early setback.

Only a stoppage-time penalty equaliser denied the Glens all three points, but Kamson-Kamara insists the character and quality shown on Tuesday night must now provide the platform for another strong performance against the Sky Blues.

The defender says the focus is firmly on maintaining standards and extending the club’s unbeaten run as attention turns back to home soil.

MJ Kamson-Kamara said: “It was a tough one to take on Tuesday night, there’s no doubt about that,”.

“We knew we would be in for a very tough game against Larne as they are a top side and are top of the league for a reason.

“We obviously conceded an early penalty, but I think we showed what we are all about by the way we reacted to that setback.

“We didn’t let it get to us, instead we focused on our game and we started to dominate.

“I know there was a touch of fortune about our equaliser, but I don’t think anyone could deny we deserved it.

“And we kept that going into the second half and scored another good goal with Pat showing his quality in front of goal yet again.

“We were obviously up against it a bit after he was sent off but we were still creating chances and we were able threat.

“We dug in at the back and I felt we were dealing with everything they threw at us. Unfortunately, right at the death we conceded again.

“As tough as it was for that to happen, we can’t dwell on it, instead we have to look to what we did well on the night and look to do it against Ballymena.

“We’re still unbeaten on this current run, which is a positive for us and something we will be looking to extend.”

Ballymena United currently lie in 10th place in the Sports Direct Premiership having picked up just one point from their last four league games.

It was a busy January transfer window at The Showgrounds with United boss Oran Kearney recruiting several signings including ex-Glentoran stars Shane McEleney and Fuad Sule.

The 19-year-old Kamson-Kamara knows the Sky Blues will provide a real threat to the Glens as they look to pull themselves clear of the foot of the table.

“Ballymena United aren’t on the best run of form results-wise, but they have been unfortunate in a couple of those games.

Kamson-Kamara said: “They’ve only lost out by the odd goal so that shows they have been competitive in those recent matches.

“They are one of the teams who have done a lot of good business in the last month as well.

“Obviously big Shane left us to join them and we are all aware of the experience and quality he will bring them, he will be such an asset for Ballymena on and off then pitch.

“Shane will obviously know a lot about us as well and I’m sure their manager will be picking his brains in the run up to the game.

“We are fully aware of how difficult it will be and we won’t be paying any attention to Ballymena’s current league position.

“I know it’s a bit of a cliche but there are no easy games in this league as every team is honest and gives everything they have.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re playing the league leaders or a team at the other end of the table, you have to be on top of your game to get anything out of the match.

“We have been on a good run over the last couple of months and we have to make sure we keep that level of performance going.”

Farnborough-native Kamson-Kamara has settled into life in east Belfast without any issues after joining Glentoran on loan from Lincoln City at the start of the current campaign.

His defensive qualities have helped make the Glens a tough nut to crack. The centre back has also proved a threat at the other end bagging his third goal of the season in the recent Irish Cup win over Strabane Athletic.

Kamson-Kamara added: “I think we’ve been quite good defensively over the last month or so, and bar the Larne games it’s only really one goal we have conceded in the league during that run.

“That is not just down to us defenders, that’s the whole team as we all know our jobs and what we need to do when we have the ball and when we don’t have it.

“You only have a good defensive record if everyone works hard and does their jobs for the benefit of the team.

“If you don’t concede a lot of goals it gives you such a good platform to build on, and we have a lot of attacking threat in our team.

“We have also shared the goals about too and I was glad to be able to pop up with a couple in the last while.

“I’m glad I’ve been able to get a couple as I had been getting in good positions but hadn’t been able to score.

“Just like our defensive duties we all should be chipping in with goals when we can as it benefits the team.”

For Glentoran fans planning to attend Saturday’s Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Larne, match tickets are available to purchase at: https://www.glentoran.com/tickets/home-tickets/