LINFIELD manager David Healy admitted his side had squandered a golden opportunity to extend the gap between themselves and Larne when they lost 1-0 to the defending champions at Windsor Park on Saturday.
The victory means the Larne trail the Blues by nine points but with three games in hand due to fixtures postponed as a result of Europa Conference League commitments during an historic run that sees the Inver Park side as the first Irish League club to reach the group stage of European competition.
Larne’s winner at Windsor Park was scored by substitute Conor McKendry in the 79th minute.
Healy, named Manager of the Month for August, felt his side should have taken something from the match.
“Frustrating, disappointing. Certainly in the manner that we lost. For the goal, I think we had four or five potential players who could have done better with the moment and in the game when they [Larne] were breaking,” said Healy.
“I thought we shaded the second half. I don’t think there was too much in the first half, it was just two well organised teams feeling each other out. We couldn’t find a way to put the ball in the net.”
Larne boss Tiernan Lynch was impressed by the mental strength shown by his players.
Linfield still top the table but only on goal difference from Cliftonville who won 5-1 at Loughgall. The Blues visit the Reds on Tuesday night while Larne go to Glenavon, surprise 1-0 winners over Crusaders at Seaview on Saturday.
Lynch said: “There are top players at Linfield and they’ve been scoring a lot of goals of late, but they’re [Larne players] a resilient bunch in there and they work very hard at what they do.
“Great credit to them. They stood firm. You’re always going to have difficult periods when you come to Windsor Park. They’re a top side and David [Healy] is a top manager.
“You’ve got to be able to ride the storm at times. Sometimes you come through them, sometimes you don’t. You’ve also got to make sure that when you get your chances, you take them.”
Ballymena and Coleraine had 1-0 and 3-1 home victories over Glentoran and Carrick Rangers respectively, while Portadown beat Dungannon Swifts 2-1 at Shamrock park on Friday night.