CHAMPIONSHIP 1: Larne 2 Knockbreda 0

Apart from a 10-minute spell in the opening half, the home side were never in trouble in the Championship 1 clash.

And it wasn’t only the victory which pleased manager Davy McAlinden. “We managed the game really well which pleased me a lot and I am delighted with the score line,” he said. We never really felt under pressure at any time and to win in the style we did, will make it an enjoyable Saturday night.

“We know our trip next week to Loughgall will be difficult but we have every confidence going down there. We want to maintain our position behind the promotion favourites and as I have said before we want to go into every game having something to play for right until the end of the season.”

Larne went close to opening their account after 11 minutes. Gerald Gillan got a firm header on target but it was brilliantly tipped over by Jake Halliday.

The deadlock was broken eight minutes before the break. Murray took a throw-in on the right and when the ball landed back in his path he sent a cracking shot past Halliday into the net.

The striker then cleverly moved back from an offside position to allow the ball to run through to Paul Maguire. As he was about to pick his spot he was brought down by former Larne defender William Wharry.

As the last man he somehow escaped with a yellow card before Murray confidently hammered home the spot-kick.

After the break the home side controlled the game with only a rare Knockbreda attack bringing goalkeeper John Connolly into action five minutes from time.

Stuart King, who ran the midfield, had a chance to add a third but his shot flew over the bar.

Larne: Connolly, Smyth, McClean, Reynolds, McMullen, Irvine (McCabe 75), King, E. Gillan, Maguire, Murray, G. Gillan (Scott 81). Subs not used: Davidson, Thompson, C. Gillan.