Unbeaten start to season ends in Larne

Reid (11mins), Dick (31mins), Todd (33mins)

Limavady United (1) 2

Owens (45 & 75mins)

It will be a game which lives long in the memory but unfortunately for the wrong reasons as once again Larne's discipline let them down.

They had three men sent off. One for a push on Niall Cooke and the other two for fighting in a melee of players.

United will also wonder how they didn't win this game with the amount of chances that they missed.

Trevor Hutchinson was the main culprit and on another day the lightening front man would have had a hat-trick.

Allan Reid, Adam Dick and Craig Todd had given the hosts a three goal advantage. Paul Owens grabbed his third brace in three games.

Larne opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Reid was first to Dick's long throw and his flick header caught out Michael Doherty and floated into the net.

Four minutes later United almost struck back but Lee Patrick headed Owens cross wide of the target.

Patrick came closer in the 18th minute. His initial header from Cooke's cross was fumbled by Brian Neeson but the keeper redeemed himself by blocking 'Toons' follow-up.

Midway through the first half the Roesiders should have been level. Cooke caused the trouble and crossed for Hutchinson who somehow fired over from very close range.

In the 28th minute United were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Cooke but Owens effort cleared the crossbar.

The home side doubled their advantage in the 31st when Doherty barged over Dick in the box. The midfielder dusted himself down and fired home the penalty.

Two minutes later they went further ahead. Mark Craig dumped Damian McNulty on his backside and crossed for Todd to score.

With 38 minutes gone Cooke was the provider for Ciaran Clarke but the teenager's header went wide of Neeson's goal.

Shortly after Cooke again crossed for Hutchinson, who again missed from close range, and Clarke hit the post although the angle was against him.

United did get back into the game in the 45th minute when Owens was upended by David McDonald and the midfielder fired home the penalty for his fifth goal of the season.

In the 50th minute United had another wonderful chance. Clarke's corner caused all sorts of confusion but Hutchinson couldn't find the target.

Five minutes later it was his strike partner's time for a glaring miss. Cooke somehow headed wide from just four yards.

United then had two chances in the space of two minute. First Owens tame shot was saved and then McNulty's header flew wide from Clarke's corner.

In the 72nd minute Hutchinson burst past his marker but once again the striker missed the target as he sliced his shot wide.

Three minutes later the Roesiders did pull another goal back. Peter Spratt was pushed over by David McDonald and while Owens slipped taking the penalty his effort found the back of the net.

Larne were reduced to ten men in the 80th minute. Paul Carland struck out at Cooke inside the box and while Carland received his marching orders the referee only gave a free-kick outside the box.

Three minutes later the game descended into chaos. Gareth McConaghie elbowed Reid and a melee ensued in which several scuffle s broke out. McConaghie was rightly sent off and Craig and Robbie White got their marching orders for their part in the fighting.

Despite being up against eight men United failed to create any more chances and the game ended with a Larne victory.

Larne: Neeson, McDonald, Larmour, White, Carland, McClean, Todd, Reid, Craig, Thompson, Dick.

Subs: Higgins for Todd (67mins), Moore for Thompson (81mins), Pollard, McConaghie & Gardiner (Unused).

Limavady United: Doherty, McKenna, McKeever, McConaghie, McNulty, Patrick, Owens, Spratt, Cooke, Hutchinson, Clarke.

Subs: Walsh & McCaughan for McKenna & Clarke (71mins), Rodden for McKeever (73mins), Roddy & Harkin (Unused).

Referee: Colin Burns (Belfast).

Cautioned: Thompson (73mins), Higgins (78mins).

Sent Off: Carland (80mins), McConaghie, Craig & White (83mins).