Larne 'getting closer' after night of 'mixed emotions'

Tiernan Lynch was left with mixed emotions following the defeat in Belfast

The Irish Premiership's history-makers were just 11 minutes away from another milestone - but, ultimately, it was not to be.

Prior to their historic Uefa Conference League campaign starting, Larne manager Tiernan Lynch had been adamant that his side were targeting results.

After two defeats by Molde and, most significantly, Shamrock Rovers, Larne could have been forgiven for having their self belief knocked.

But, it was almost third time lucky against Swiss Super League side St Gallen at Windsor Park.

After the visitors had a goal disallowed inside 90 seconds, Larne took the lead when Abdoulaye Diaby turned Jordan McEneff's cross into his own net.

There was pandemonium in what was already a cauldron of noise and colour thanks to a travelling vocal, 2000-strong support.

It was like a spark had been lit. The belief was back.

St Gallen equalised through a stunning, Marco van Basten-esque strike by captain Lukas Gortler just before the half-hour. But, once more Larne were not rocked.

The visitors were firmly on top in terms of possession, but they could not cut Larne open, who themselves had the odd half chance at the other end.

Eventually, their resolve was broken as legs grew weary when St Gallen raced clear with Hugo Vandermersch sealing a Swiss victory.

Manager Tiernan Lynch admitted he was filled with "mixed emotions" after the result. So close, yet so far.

"I'm disappointed that we couldn't hold on," he said.

"But I'm also hugely proud of the players. To a man they were superb tonight.

"We're getting closer."

'We'll go again'

The Larne manager said he side had analysed St Gallen and knew they were "a top side with top players".

"We knew it was going to be a tough game and we knew we would be out of possession for long periods of the game.

"There was a real challenge there, both mentally and physically, but I thought we were superb.

"The only down side was conceding that second goal, which was hard to take."

That is now three defeats on the bounce for Larne, who are the first Irish Premiership side to qualify for the Uefa Conference League.

The trip to Norway to face Molde was always going to be a challenge, but the Shamrock Rovers defeat, or more the manner of it, had a whiff of a humiliation.

However, this loss felt different after. The overriding feeling was disappointment, what could have been but pride at the effort involved.

"We let ourselves down, the fans down, the club down, the league down in the last game [the defeat by Shamrock Rovers] and we needed to put that right," added Lynch.

"I think tonight kind of helped to do that.

"We would have loved to have got something from the game but we'll learn from that last incident and we'll go again."

Larne are the first Irish Premiership side to play in the Uefa Conference League

Defender Shaun Want added that Larne used the defeat by Rovers as fuel to improve.

"After the Shamrock Rovers game a lot of boys were hurt. There were a few tough words said to each other because it wasn't acceptable.

"Everyone who was on that pitch tonight can be proud of the shift that they put in.

"You can tell by their celebrations that it was a tight game."

Thursday's defeat in Belfast marked the halfway point of their European adventure.

Next, they are back on their travels to Slovenia to face Olimpija before another away day against Dinamo Minsk.

They finish their campaign at home to Gent, and the message is clear - continue to learn and continue to grow on the European stage.

"We're disappointed and a bit gutted, but when we look back on it I think there will be a lot in there we can be proud of," added Want.

"We're here on merit and not on luck. We've always said that if you want to play at this level then you have to show that you belong here.

"You are going to get tough opposition, but you can see in every game we are getting better and better.

"We've three games left but we will take a lot of confidence from it."