Irish Premiership: Ten-man Larne lose as Glentoran win to narrow gap at top

The visitors raced into the lead inside the opening two minutes thanks to Shevlin’s 15th league goal of the season.

Midfielder Mark Coyle spotted the run of the striker and played the ball in behind a hesitant Larne defence and Shevlin raced clear of Matthew Ridley before rounding Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson and firing into an unguarded net.

Shevlin passed up a great chance to double his and his side’s advantage moments later but Rohan Ferguson produced a smart save to deny him while, at the other end, Ryan Schofield brilliantly saved from Andy Ryan after being set up by Sean Graham.

Both goalkeepers continued to impress – Ferguson blocking Zane Okoro’s low shot with an outstretched foot while Schofield got his body behind an ambitious volley from Ronan Doherty.

Larne’s frustrations were compounded when they were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Bent following a challenge on Shevlin in the 35th minute.

But they regrouped and drew level on the stroke of half-time when top goal scorer Ryan slotted home his sixth penalty of the season after Dylan Boyle handled inside the penalty area.

Ferguson came to the home side’s rescue shortly after the restart when he touched Shevlin’s goalbound header onto the post.

However, he was powerless to prevent the visitors regaining the lead just before the hour mark when Wylie was left unmarked six yards out to glance a header into the bottom corner of the net from a pinpoint Levi Ives delivery.

It was 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining when Patching netted his ninth goal of the season from the spot after Tomas Cosgrove was adjudged to have handled inside the area.

The scoring was completed with seven minutes remaining when Shevlin capitalised on some slack Larne defending to rifle home from 12 yards for his second goal of the night.