soccer

Larne Lose Ground as Carrick and Coleraine Win

League leaders Larne suffered a 3-2 defeat to Carrick Rangers, while Coleraine beat Ballymena United 1-0 to reduce the gap at the top of the Irish Premiership to just two points.

Carrick Rangers extended their impressive form with a 3-2 victory over league leaders Larne at Inver Park. Danny Gibson, Joe Crowe, and Paul Heatley scored for the visitors, while Tiarnan O'Connor and Dan Bent replied for Larne, who are now without a win in their last three games.

Elsewhere, Coleraine moved closer to the summit with a 1-0 win against Ballymena United at the Coleraine Showgrounds. Will Patching's first-half goal was enough for Ruaidhri Higgin's side, who now trail leaders Larne by just two points with a game in hand.