Mark Randall works a short corner with Aaron Donnelly before getting it back to whip a deep cross toward the back post.

Dan Bent rises above his marker but can’t steer the header on target. The home side keep pressing, but the Seasiders continue to stand firm.

Tomas Cosgrove clips a clever ball into Matty Lusty inside the box.

The forward spins sharply and fires low toward the far corner, but it rolls agonisingly wide.

Gary Haveron’s side are edging closer.

Mark Randall slices open the Bangor defence with a precise through ball for Sean Graham, whose cutback is nodded clear by Harry Lynch.

The visitors break two-on-two, Michael Morgan driving forward before testing Rohan Ferguson, who gathers possession at the second time of asking.

Mark Randall whips in a superb inswinging cross, and Tiarnan O’Connor meets it firmly but sends his header just over from close range.

Sean Graham tumbles in the box under pressure from Reece Neale, but Tony Clarke waves away the appeals.

The Inver Reds aren’t happy, yet Bangor breathe easy as the referee points for a goal kick.

Aaron Donnelly whips in a free-kick from the right that’s flicked behind for a corner by goalscorer Ben Arthurs, who immediately protests he was shoved by Matt Ridley.

Referee Tony Clarke isn’t interested, waving play on as Larne prepare to swing one in.

Larne have committed six forward in a bid to break down Bangor’s stubborn five-man defence in the last few minutes, but it’s leaving gaps elsewhere.

Aaron Donnelly, Matt Ridley and Dan Bent are finding it tough to thread passes through midfield.

Watch as Bangor take an early lead at Inver Park.

Matty Lusty reacts quickest inside the box, spinning and firing a low snapshot across goal, but it skims just wide of the far post.

Dan Bent lets fly from the edge of the box after a tidy spell of pressure, but Stephen McGuinness throws himself in the way to make the block.

Mark Randall latches onto a lay-off from Dan Bent on the edge of the area, but he drags his effort over the crossbar.

The hosts are starting to settle again, keeping Bangor penned in and probing for a quick response.

That one will sting for Gary Haveron.

Just moments earlier, Conor McKendry and Matthew Ridley had both gone close from distance, having been well on top for the opening exchanges.

Conor McKendry sizes up Robbie Garrett 25 yards out, drops the shoulder and shifts it onto his right foot, but the shot lacks direction as Gareth Deane gets his body behind it and gathers cleanly.

Mark Randall looks to unlock the visiting back line with a clever through ball, but Harry Lynch reads it well to snuff out the danger.

Moments later, a long pass aimed for Ben Arthurs threatens to split the defence, only for Aaron Donnelly to step across smartly and tidy up for the Inver Reds.

Bangor set their stall out early with a compact shape, five across the back and Robbie Garrett plus Liam Hassin screening in midfield.

Michael Morgan and Tiarnan Mulvenna are tasked with getting forward in support of lone striker Ben Arthurs, but it’s clear Lee Feeney’s men have arrived to frustrate the home side.

Philip Major
Sportsound summariser

There is a lot more in Coleraine and Higgins will be delighted to go up the road with three points. Maybe today some players didn't hit their top form.

We’re under way at Inver Park, where Gary Haveron’s side look to extend their perfect home record against a Bangor team sitting fifth ahead of kick-off.

Lee Feeney’s men can climb back into the top four with a win, so plenty is riding on this one.

Catch up on the report from the action so far here.

Just ahead of kick-off, Larne have announced that stopper Rohan Ferguson has signed a four-year contract extension.

The 27-year-old has started all of Larne's Premiership matches so far this season and has conceded just four goals in the league.

Image source, Pacemaker Press