Larne must bounce back after shock loss to Loughgall, says Tiernan Lynch

Tiernan Lynch expects a response from his side against Glenavon

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch insists his boys cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves after suffering their first defeat of the season at Loughgall.

It was certainly the shock result of the Sports Direct Premiership campaign so far — the Village new boys downing the reigning champions.

A last-minute strike from Benji Magee sent the home fans into raptures, which ultimately heralded three priceless points.

By that stage, Larne were down to 10 men, having lost goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson with 20 minutes remaining for a hand ball incident outsi de the box — he was also yellow carded in the first half.

Yes, it was a night to remember for Dean Smith’s men, but a shocker for Lynch and his boys — the first time they had lost domestically in the League campaign.

“We have only ourselves to blame,” admitted Lynch. “We created a lot of good chances, but couldn’t convert them, especially in the first half. There were bits and pieces that fell to us after the restart, but if I’m going to be honest, we got what we deserved.

“We set standards at the football club and we fell well short of those standards all over the pitch. I was hugely disappointed, it was so unlike us. We let ourselves down... and we let the fans down as well. You must put it down to a poor night at the office.

“I’m not going to make excuses. In saying that, when Lee Bonis when down inside the box, I looked like a penalty kick, although I was quite a bit away from the incident.”

Lynch will hand new signing Aidan Dowling the goalkeeper’s shirt for Saturday’s clash against Glenavon, now under the managerial reins of Stephen McDonnell, at Mourneview Park.

“Yes, it’s a big loss, Rohan has been great for us