sports

Carrick Shock Leaders Larne, Coleraine Close Gap

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

Carrick Rangers stunned league leaders Larne with a 3-2 victory at Inver Park, extending their impressive run while ending Larne's three-game unbeaten streak. The visitors took a commanding 3-0 lead through goals from Danny Gibson, Joe Crowe, and Paul Heatley before Larne mounted a comeback with goals from Tiarnan O'Connor and Dan Bent.

At the Coleraine Showgrounds, Will Patching's first-half strike was enough to give Coleraine a 1-0 victory over Ballymena United, reducing the deficit at the top of the table to just two points with Larne still holding a game in hand.