Larne exit Europe after late heartbreak against Red Imps

Larne missed the chance to reach the league phase of the Uefa Conference League for a second time in three years as they suffered an agonising 3-2 aggregate defeat by Lincoln Red Imps after a late collapse in the second leg at Inver Park. Gary Haveron's side held a 2-0 advantage going into the second leg and appeared to be comfortably progressing, but Kike Gomez's shot gave the visitors the lead on the night in the 82nd minute with a fine strike. Three minutes later, Manu Toledano's header brought the Red Imps level on aggregate before Montel Gibson was sent off for Larne after a second bookable defence. In extra time, Toledano's late penalty after a foul by Chris Gallagher completed the comeback for the Gibraltarian side and left Larne shellshocked. Five minutes to forget for Inver Reds Larne had a great chance to settle the nerves of the home support after just 12 seconds, but Matthew Lusty's shot was stopped by Nauzet Santana. Red Imps started to dominate with Nano's effort hitting the crossbar and Gomez's shot being gathered by Rohan Ferguson. Both sides knew the importance of the first goal on the night and the chances continued to flow as the half progressed with Alex Mula's strike palmed away by Ferguson before, at the other end, James Simpson curled a shot just wide of the right-hand post. It was somehow goalless at the break but Larne once again dominated after the restart with Tomas Cosgrove's header drifting just wide as they pushed for the opener. Red Imps stopper Santana made a great reaction save on 61 minutes to stop another header from Cosgrove, who had nodded Ronan Doherty's corner towards goal. As the second half progressed and the rain started to pour, clear-cut chances were at a premium, but Gomez broke the deadlock the final 10 minutes when his strong effort flew past Ferguson. The away side's confidence grew, and they levelled the score on aggregate in the 85th minute when Toledano headed home Nano's corner. Things went from bad to worse for Haveron's side when substitute Gibson was shown his second yellow card for a clumsy foul in midfield on Mandi. Red Imps pushed for another late goal, but it was Larne who had the best chance before the full-time whistle with substitutes Jordan McEneff unable to steer Doherty's corner home from the back post. Both sides had chances in extra time before, in the final minute, the away side were awarded a penalty when Gallagher fouled Toledano, whose fine penalty arrowed high into the top corner broke the hearts of the Larne players and fans and completed a remarkable turnaround.