Three points all that matters for Tiernan Lynch as Larne extend League lead at Ballymena United

Ballymena United 0 Larne 1

Ballymena's Donal Rocks is tracked by Larne goal scorer Lee Bonis

It wasn't a vintage performance from Larne at the Ballymena Showgrounds but the reigning champions got the win they wanted to move three points clear at the top of the table.

Lee Bonis scored the only goal of the game after just eight minutes, a simple headed conversion after strike partner Andy Ryan put it on a plate for him.

The Inver Reds looked set to add more goals to the score line but, on a heavy pitch, Ballymena United made the visitors fight for victory.

Mikey Place was denied by keeper Rohan Ferguson in the first half and the Sky Blues pushed hard for an equaliser in the dying minutes, but Larne held out for all three points.

“We knew going into the game that it wasn't going to be about the performance,” said Larne boss Tiernan Lynch.

“You don't go to Ballymena on a day like yesterday on a heavy pitch like that and start worrying about how many passes you are going to make.

“You worry about leaving with all three points and that was what yesterday was all about, and a bonus was a clean sheet.

“Yesterday was all about getting three points and not a game to look back on.

“Ballymena are a really, really hard working team, they are giving their manager absolutely everything and all credit to them.”

Larne took the game by the scruff of the neck early on and opened in fine style after just eight minutes.

Midfielder Mark Randall popped the ball to the left flank where Ryan controlled it to lift a delightful ball to the back post where Bonis rose to nod down and past Sean O'Neill from close range.

Randall then saw an arrowed free kick battered clear by O'Neill as Larne dominated for the first 25 minutes, then Noah Stewart sent