Highlights: Larne come from behind to beat Bangor

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI contributor

Second-half goals from substitutes Paul O'Neill and Ronan Doherty helped Larne come from behind to beat Bangor 2-1 at Clandeboye Park and end their three-match losing run in all competitions.

The hosts had led through Ben Arthurs' first-half header, but Larne fought back after the interval to secure a much-needed victory.

The result leaves Lee Feeney's Bangor rooted to the bottom of the Irish Premiership table, while Gary Haveron's side return to winning ways.

Larne substitutes make the difference

Bangor had a golden opportunity to take the lead after just four minutes when Lewis Francis was fouled inside the penalty area, but Harry Lynch struck the post with his spot-kick after sending Rohan Ferguson the wrong way.

The hosts eventually made the breakthrough when Steven McCullough released Caomhan McGuinness down the right and his inviting cross was headed home at the back post by Ben Arthurs for his 170th Bangor goal.

Larne grew into the contest before half-time, with Montel Gibson firing over and James Simpson testing Patrick Solis Grogan from distance, but the Seasiders held their advantage at the break.

With the wind behind them, Larne emerged strongly in the second half as manager Haveron made five substitutions in search of a response.

The visitors' pressure eventually told in the 67th minute when substitute O'Neill converted from close range after Matthew Ridley flicked on a Doherty throw-in.

Ten minutes later, Doherty completed the turnaround in spectacular fashion, unleashing a powerful strike from around 30 yards into the bottom corner after being picked out by fellow substitute Sean Graham.

Bangor pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with Francis meeting a late McCullough free-kick, but Larne held firm to secure a much-needed victory.

What the managers said

Larne manager Gary Haveron: "We've had a sticky wee spell before today. We've put ourselves in winning positions, and somehow we've managed to throw the game away. It was great to show the character that we did this evening; the subs came on and made a really strong and positive impact for us.

"Bangor came out of the traps really fast. First 15-20 minutes, they were the better side. They deservedly got ahead with the goal. We probably got away with one just before that with a penalty.

"That's the strength and depth that we have as a club. I'm really delighted to see Ronan Doherty pop up with a winner, but also Paul O'Neill, for his goal, I thought his attitude when he came on to the pitch was absolutely first-class."

Bangor manager Lee Feeney: "Very, very frustrating. I think we deserved something out of the game. We had to deal with a lot of pressure in the second half, but even at that, they never created many good chances and the two goals we conceded, we could have done better.

"If we didn't take care of the ball, we knew we were going to continue to defend, and you can only defend for so long. The equaliser was very, very poor on our behalf, but the second goal was a sucker punch. Another kick in the teeth, another decent performance with no points.

"We went toe-to-toe with a full-time team. You've one team that's the champions and one's bottom of the league, and you wouldn't have known that as a neutral. The goal we got was fantastic, some of the football we played and opportunities we created. A lot of positives, but another hard-luck story."