Scott hopeful Larne can turn their form around

The managerless Invermen gave a good account of themselves but still came away empty-handed from the 2-0 defeat to league leaders Dundela at Inver Park on Saturday.

Scott, who was announced as the player of the month after the game, is confident the tide will turn ahead of Saturday’s trip to Donegal Celtic.

“It’s been a big step-up for me (coming from Islandmagee) and it took me a while to settle in but I feel I’m getting the hang of it now,” he said.

“There’s a tight squad now and but I think everyone is sticking together because of that.

“I think if we keep playing the way we are then results will come and we can get our season kick-started.

“The Dundela game on Saturday showed that we don’t have a lot of luck at the minute.

“Donegal Celtic on Saturday is a big one because they’re around us in the table so hopefully that’s the game it can all come together and we can get the win.”

Larne were out of the blocks quickly on Saturday and Paul Maguire had an opportunity to open the scoring after just three minutes when he shot straight at the goalkeeper, following a neat exchange with Stuart King.

At the other end the visitors struck the post through David Murphy’s low drive before goalkeeper Dylan McRandal did well to tip over from Kyle Cherry’s free-kick and six minutes later produced an equally impressive save to deny Daniel Burns’ rasping effort.

Cherry threatened to break the deadlock just two minutes into the second half but poked the ball just wide.

Nine minutes later Steven McKay, in the Dundela goal, did well to keep the scores level when he saved from Paul Maguire’s near post drive.

Shortly afterwards Maguire saw a penalty appeal waved away, despite appearing to be pulled back just inside the box.

On 63 minutes Mark Picking couldn’t believe he hadn’t broken the deadlock as his first time volley, from Ross Black’s accurate left wing cross, was somehow kept out by McKay.

Dundela made the breakthrough with 19 minutes remaining. Daniel Burns found too much room on the left flank and produced an excellent cross allowing substitute Owain Beggs to apply the finish from close range.

In stoppage time Dundela sealed the victory with Carl McComb producing an impressive chip after goalkeeper McRandal was forced to leave his penalty area to make a clearance.

Larne: McRandal, Todd, Hughes, N McAllister, McNamee, McConnell (Scott), Irvine (McAuley), Picking (J McAllister), Maguire, King, Black. Unused subs: Crawford, Swann