Highlights: Crusaders 0-3 Larne

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Ronan Doherty, Jordan McEneff and Greg Sandiford all scored their first goals for Larne as they beat Crusaders 3-0 at Seaview to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

The Inver Reds broke the deadlock in style on 36 minutes through Doherty's first-time strike, before they doubled their lead after the restart when McEneff netted for the first time in 64 league appearances.

The away side were reduced to 10 men after Cricky Gallagher was given his marching orders for a clumsy tackle, but they scored in the final minute when substitute Sandiford found the back of the net.

The result means that Larne move up to third position in the table, while the Crues have now lost back-to-back games.

Larne continue fine form

In the opening few minutes of the game, Paul O'Neill had a good chance to break the deadlock after Doherty's shot deflected into the path of the striker, but he could not keep his effort on target.

At the other end, Owen Wardell and Elliot Dunlop both fired just wide as both sides continued to push for the opener.

Shea Callister was then forced to make a good save to gather Leroy Millar's effort from a James Simpson pass.

Larne took the lead in the final 10 minutes of the half when Doherty's strong left-footed finish struck the crossbar and found the back of the net.

The Inver Reds doubled their lead on 52 minutes after McEneff fired home Simpson's cross from the left wing.

The Crues pushed for a quick response and thought they had found one when Jacob Blaney headed home Donal Rocks' cross, but he was offside.

In the 75th minute, Gallagher was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Elliot Dunlop before Larne's assistant manager Mick O'Boyle was also dismissed for his reaction to the decision.

Despite being down to 10 men, Larne extended their lead on 89 minutes when O'Neill played the ball across the box for Sandiford to fire home with his first touch of the game.

What the managers said

Larne manager Gary Haveron: "To come off a long break, you are always nervous if you are going to hit the ground running and I think we did.

"We set the tone in the first five minutes of the game. The sending off sours what was a really good day's performance.

"The Crues have a bit of resilience about them and I have nothing but respect for them. They are stubborn and hard to break down but ultimately we got what we deserved from the game."

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell: "Larne were very good today. For ourselves, our shape was good in the first half and frustrated them.

"Poor goals from us. I think off the ball, the work rate was top notch. On the ball, I expect more from us and we didn't deliver today. It's simple.

"For me, it was probably a bit of a fear factor. It's three points lost but we move on to next week. It's as simple as that."

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