Defending Irish Premiership champions Larne continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 win over Bangor at Inver Park.

The home side dominated possession in the first half but struggled to break through a resolute Bangor defence.

However, Dylan Sloan broke the deadlock on 76 minutes when his effort from range found the top corner.

The result means that Bangor have now registered just a single point in their opening five games, while the Inver Reds have now won their past two fixtures.

In the opening few minutes, a mix-up in the Bangor defence gifted Paul O'Neill an opportunity, but the striker fired wide.

Larne then had another chance to break the deadlock on 16 minutes with both Matt Ridley and Dan Bent having efforts blocked before the Seasiders eventually cleared their lines.

As the half progressed, chances grew few and far between with Ronan Doherty and Tiarnan Mulvenna both having efforts saved at either end.

Gary Haveron's side then believed the visitors should have been reduced to 10 men when Matty Lusty's run through on goal was cut short by Alfie Mitchell. However, Steven Gregg cautioned the defender.

Rohan Ferguson was called into action to thwart Jay Boyd's effort before Doherty came close once again in the final minutes of the first half.

It was a slow start to the second half with neither team having a chance until the 62nd minute when Patrick Solis Grogan made a great save to tip Sean Graham's effort over the crossbar.

Haveron then turned to his bench and brought on Mark Randall in an attempt to spark the match to life.

The experienced midfielder nearly made an instant impact when he fired towards goal, only for his shot to be deflected wide with Matt Ridley unable to fire home the resulting corner from the back post.

Larne broke the deadlock when Sloan‘s left-footed strike from 25-yards out flew past Solis after good build-up play from the home side.

Shortly after, Sloan had another go from a similar distance but could not find the top corner in style once again.

Larne now face Portadown on Saturday, while Bangor travel to the Oval to play Glentoran as their wait for their first win of the season continues.

Larne manager Gary Haveron: "It was a long time coming. We were very, very dominant in the game but Bangor came here with a game plan.

"In my opinion, just before the goal actually did, we'd been asking questions. Patrick [Solis Grogan] made a brilliant save and tipped one over.

"We just flashed one across the post and I felt in the start of the second half we were a bit too slow in our build-up play. We were a bit too deliberate in that.

"It's an absolute brilliant strike from Dylan Sloan. Absolute brilliant strike and the kid's got that quality in him. I'm delighted for him because he works so, so hard for the team."

Bangor manager Lee Feeney: "I thought the performance was super. For it to be disappointing to come away with a 1-0 defeat to the league champions, just says it all.

"They are a class team and they're a proper machine. I think they've about 10 or 11 games under their belt already this season.

"We didn't start the season off well. The first three games we spoke and made it public; we were disappointed with it. I felt it wasn't like ourselves but, I really do feel the last few games now, we've been a wee bit more competitive and a better version of ourselves."