Larne edge Sky Blues to make Irish Cup sixth round

Goals from Paul O'Neill and Leroy Millar helped Larne to a 2-1 victory over Ballymena United in the Irish Cup fifth round encounter at the Showgrounds.

O'Neill drilled home a deserved opener for the the visitors on 35 minutes but Ballymena hit back in spectacular style.

Success Edogun moved into space before firing a superb 25-yard shot into the top corner for a 65th-minute leveller.

Millar won it for Larne with 18 minutes left with as the former Sky Blues midfielder netted from close range.

Larne will travel to face Warrenpoint Town in the sixth round while Loughgall booked a visit to Institute after beating Knockbreda 2-0 in Tuesday night's other Irish Cup tie.

Paul McElroy's rebound finish gave Loughgall a half-time lead at Lakeview Park before Kirk McLaughlin sealed the win six minutes from time.

Larne made a bright start to the game with Declan Breen, who was a last minute replacement for Bradley Wade in between the posts for Ballymena, called into action in the opening two minutes to thwart O'Neill's header.

As the first half progressed, the Inver Reds continued to have the better opportunities with Millar unable to steer home the rebound of Tiarnan O'Connor's strike which had been palmed away by Breen.

The away side broke the deadlock when Tomas Cosgrove's cross into the box was headed away by Daithi McCallion, but the rebound fell to Paul O'Neill and the striker steered home.

Just before the break, Rohan Ferguson made a good save to deny Daniel Lafferty's close-range shot.

Ballymena levelled the game on 56 minutes when thanks to Edogun's stunning strike but Larne responded and retook the lead when Millar fired Cosgrove's deflected pass at the back post past the Ballymena stopper.

In the final 10 minutes, Millar's shot looked like it was going to give Larne a more comfortable advantage, but his effort crashed off the inside of the post.