McCartan wonder strike gives Ports win over Larne

Shay McCartan scored from his own half two minutes from time to give Portadown a dramatic 2-1 victory over Larne at Shamrock Park.

The champions were aiming to bounce back from Thursday night's 4-1 defeat by Shamrock Rovers and they took the lead on 34 minutes.

Conor McKendry's low drive hit the post and then rebounded off Ports keeper Aaron McCarey before going in for an own goal.

Portadown levelled on 64 minutes when Eamon Fyfe got up at the backpost to head home.

McCartan won it for the Ports with a spectacular long-range shot and the win sends Niall Currie's side above Larne.

Larne's early-season struggles continue and their European hangover shows no signs of abating as they still search for their first league win since qualifying for Uefa Conference League.

The visitors broke the deadlock in fortuitous circumstances after 33 minutes. McKendry, receiving a pass from Cian Bolger 25 yards out, unleashed a shot that struck the far post before ricocheting off McCarey's face and into the net.

Portadown players celebrate making it 1-1 against Larne at Shamrock Park

Wasted opportunities

Prior to the opener, the Inver Reds had squandered two gilt-edged opportunities. Bolger's glancing header from Mark Randall's corner flashed across goal, with Jordan McEneff agonizingly close to connecting.

Four minutes later, Benji Magee inexplicably missed from six yards after Andy Ryan's deft header set up the former Loughgall man.

After the break the away side came within inches of doubling their lead. Ryan's curling free-kick in the 56th minute beat McCarey but crashed against the upright. This near-miss seemed to galvanize the hosts, who began to assert themselves.

The Mid-Ulster side's persistence paid off in the 64th minute when Fyfe drew them level. Mark Randall's careless turnover allowed McCartan to find Paul McElroy, whose inswinging cross was met powerfully by Fyfe as he headed in.

As the match entered its final stages, both teams pressed for a winner. Larne's Paul O'Neill forced McCarey into a diving save from a free-kick, while at the other end, Fyfe was denied by Rohan Ferguson when through on goal.

However, the defining moment arrived in the 88th minute courtesy of an extraordinary strike from McCartan. The Portadown man, spotting Ferguson off his line, launched an audacious lob from inside his own half that sailed over the stranded keeper, sending Shamrock Park into raptures.

Larne must quickly regroup as they seek to defend their title, while the hosts will look to build on this morale-boosting triumph in the coming weeks.