HALE AND HEARTY

Ronan rescues a point as Larne dig deep in tough conditions

RONAN HALE fired home his second goal in four days to secure a deserved share of the spoils for Larne against the league leaders at a blustery Inver Park.

Cliftonville left back Levi Ives had fired the visitors into a half-time lead with a picture book free-kick midway through the opening period.

But Tiernan Lynch’s men squared things up six minutes into the second half when Hale swept home a first time shot from the edge of the area after being teed up by Fuad Sule.

“The wind and rain didn’t stop throughout so fair play to both sets of players for trying to entertain,” said Reds boss Paddy Mclaughlin.

“I don’t think Tiernan (Lynch) or myself can have too many complaints and I think a draw was probably a fair result.”

The Reds, who like Larne are now three games without a win, took the lead in eye-catching fashion in the 25th minute when Ives billowed the top corner with a superb free-kick.

Larne keeper Michael Ayrgyrides, making his first league start of the season, was left grasping at thin air as Ives ran off to celebrate his third goal of the season.

Larne had carved out the better opportunities in the opening period and might well wonder how they weren’t on the scoresheet at the break.

Graham Kelly had a close range shot blocked early doors and the raiding left back also forced a smothered save from Luke Mcnicholas before the break.

Davy Mcdaid fizzed a rising shot over the bar and Kofi Balmer also missed the target with a free header from a floated Mark Randall corner.

Larne were back on level terms when Hale fired home in the 51st minute, sweeping a first time shot beyond Mcnicholas from the edge of the area.

Ben Doherty tried his luck from distance as Larne chased a second, before Kris Lowe almost won it for the Reds in the 77th minute, his run and shot palmed wide by Argyrides.

The Larne keeper also had to rush out to deny the raiding Lowe in stoppage time as both sides were left to settle for a point apiece.

LETHAL FINISH Larne’s Ronan Hale celebrates his goal against Cliftonville at Inver Park last night