Glentoran’s four-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of Sports Direct Premiership leaders Larne, who ran out 4-1 winners at The BetMcLean Oval.

Daniel Larmour drew the hosts level on 24 minutes after Paul O’Neill’s early penalty against his former club had put the visitors in front inside seven minutes.

But just as the Glens looked to be gaining a foothold in the game they suffered a major blow after Ryan Cooney was dismissed on 34 minutes for a challenge on Sean Graham.

Larne made their advantage count as another Glens old boy, Chris Gallagher, restored their lead before the break.

O’Neill netted again nine minutes after the restart before Tomas Cosgrove added a fourth with 13 minutes to go to complete a disappointing night for Glentoran.

The visitors made a bright start to the game with Graham crashing an effort off the bar after a well-worked free-kick with two minutes on the clock.

Five minutes later the Invermen edged in front from the penalty spot as O’Neill slotted home from 12 yards after the hosts were penalised for handball.

After that early setback the Glens started to find the feet and they came close to an equaliser on 14 minutes when Jordan Jenkins burst into the Larne penalty area, but he drilled his shot over the bar.

The hosts were appealing for a spot kick of their own three minutes later when Pat Hoban’s effort appeared to strike the hand of Ryan Nolan, however referee Tony Clarke was unmoved.

The mood at the BetMcLean Oval improved on 24 minutes as Larmour brought Glentoran level once more. The defender nodded home after Larne failed to deal with Ryan Cooney’s long throw.

Declan Devine’s side were enjoying a decent spell of possession but had ‘keeper Andrew Mills to thank for maintaining parity as he was off his line quickly to block from Tiarnan O’Connor before O’Neill screwed the rebound wide.

The game was to take another turn as we headed towards half-time with the Glens were reduced to 10-men on 34 minutes as Cooney saw red for a challenge on Graham.

Larne rubbed further salt into the wound in the 41st minute as Gallagher found the bottom corner from 25 yards out.

The midfielder was fortunate to escape picking up a second yellow before the break, but Gallagher didn’t appear for the second half as he was replaced by James Simpson before the restart.

Nine minutes into the second half the visitors doubled their advantage following a swift break by O’Connor, as he picked out O’Neill in the box, who swept the ball home past Mills.

Despite the score line and the numerical advantage Glentoran kept pushing for a way back into the game, but they had Mills to thank again with 17 minutes to go as he produced another superb block to deny Matty Lusty.

The stopper was left helpless to prevent Larne adding a fourth on 77 minutes after Simpson nicked the ball off Danny Amos on the edge of the box before playing in Cosgrove, who slotted home to seal the win.

Glentoran 1 – 4 Larne

Starting XI: Mills, Cooney, Kane (c), Thomson, Palmer, Hoban, Burt (Gallagher), Kamara (Amos), Larmour (Coll), Singleton (Douglas), Jenkins (Connolly).

Subs: Crellin, McEleney