'Some of the big decisions went against us' - Haveron

Larne boss Gary Haveron said that the club have already launched an appeal against the red card shown to Andy Ryan in their 1-0 loss against Linfield.

Ryan was controversially dismissed by referee Shane Andrews before half-time for a challenge on Kyle McClean.

Haveron also believed that the officials missed a foul on Ryan Nolan in the build-up to Kieran Offord scoring the winner for the Blues.

"I think some of the big decisions did go against us and we have launched an appeal which is a clear indication of how we feel about it," he said.

"The decisions made change the outcome of the game. I felt it was a clear and obvious foul for the goal, you can see Offord steps across the line of the defender, he bumps him [Nolan] and then Offord scores from it."

The Larne boss has called for an improvement across the board from officials in the league.

"I understand it is an incredibly difficult job, but with the amount of money the clubs are paying for referees, it is a hell of an expense, so you expect a certain standard."

The defeat against the Blues left the back-to-back Irish Premiership champions with a mountain to climb in their quest for third successive Gibson Cup.

They are now 25 points behind leaders Linfield, with five games in hand, but Haveron insists they will keep pushing to at least seal European qualification

"It is not over, so until it is we will keep fighting for what we want."