Glentoran were edged out 1–0 by Larne at Inver Park on Friday night, with a late Benji Magee strike separating the sides in a tightly contested Sports Direct Premiership encounter.

After a disciplined first-half display and a strong spell of second-half pressure, the Glens were unfortunate not to come away with at least a point, before Larne struck eight minutes from time with the game finely balanced.

The opening period was cagey, with both sides cancelling each other out in midfield. Larne fashioned the first opportunity on 14 minutes when Sean Graham delivered low from the left, but Tiarnan O’Connor was unable to steer his effort on target.

Glentoran responded positively moments later. Cameron Palmer drove forward down the right and fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal, just beyond the reach of Pat Hoban arriving at the back post.

Chances remained limited for the remainder of the first half. Ryan Cooney tested Rohan Ferguson with a strike from distance, while Andrew Mills dealt comfortably with a similar effort at the other end as the sides went in level at the break.

The Glens emerged with renewed intent after the restart and were close to breaking the deadlock early in the second half. A slip at the back allowed Hoban to square for Liam Burt inside the area, but a brave block denied what looked a certain opening.

Glentoran continued to build momentum. Joe Thomson forced Ferguson into a sharp save with a powerful effort before seeing another goalbound strike deflected narrowly wide following good work from Jordan Jenkins.

Despite Glentoran controlling possession and territory, Larne struck the decisive blow on 82 minutes. Magee collected a loose clearance on the edge of the area and drilled a low effort into the bottom corner from outside the box.

The Glens pressed in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, with Jordan Stewart going closest late on, but the hosts held firm to see out the contest.

Despite the disappointment of the result, Declan Devine’s side will take encouragement from a strong second-half performance as attention now turns to Coleraine’s visit to the BetMcLean Oval on Friday 19th December.

Full-Time: Larne 1–0 Glentoran

Glentoran: Mills, Cooney, Kane, Thomson, Palmer, Hoban, Stewart, Burt (Jenkins), Kamson-Kamara, Singleton, Russell (Larmour, Connolly)

Subs not used: Crellin (GK), Pattisson, Ferris, Douglas