The visitors are trying to get back into this game and Sean Murray tries his luck from distance.

Unfortunately for him, and Ballymena, his effort goes high over Ryan Schofield's crossbar.

Larne's Andy Ryan works space on the left hand side but his inviting cross is a yard ahead of in-rushing strike partner Paul O'Neill.

Larne's Andy Ryan has the ball in the net as he latches onto James Simpson's through ball but the referee's assistant has his flag raised.

Coleraine knocking on the door here.

James Akintunde chases down a hopeful punt forward from Jamie Glackin, putting pressure on the Ballymena United backline.

He does brilliantly to outmuscle Stephen O'Donnell but, with the goal gaping, he screws his shot wide of the far post.

As you would imagine, there has been plenty of possession from Larne in these opening stages but Carrick have defended resolutely thus far.

Coleraine corners causing Ballymena United problems in the opening quarter of an hour.

Will Patching's delivery picks out Mark Connolly at the back post and his looping header is cleared from underneath the crossbar by Daniel Lafferty.

Ben Wylie whips in a great corner which is put out for another on the opposite side.

Pressure building from the hosts.

Leroy Millar fires a dangers cross-shot across the face of the Carrick goal but keeper Nathan Gartside's handling is impeccable in the slippery conditions.

A second corner for the hosts in front of the Ballymena United fans.

Larne fail to clear an Aidan Steele corner and in among a goalmouth melee, Mikey Place's shot is blocked.

It's Coleraine's turn to go close.

Ben Wylie's corner causes panic in the Ballymena United defence but defender Mark Connolly's scuffed effort is saved on his goal line by Bradley Wade.

A corner at the other end as Stephen O'Donnell clears Ben Wylie's low cross.

An early scare for the home side.

Dylan McGeouch delivers a cross from the far side where Igor Rutkowksi meets the ball on the six-yard line.

Jamie Glackin is in the right place at the right time to hook the striker's effort off the line.

Larne's Ronan Doherty fizzes in a low pass to Andy Ryan who takes a good first touch to earn himself half a yard of space but his shot is off target.

A corner within the first minute for the visitors.

Kian Corbally gets us under way for the third league meeting of these fierce rivals this season.

The two previous games - both at the Warden Street Showgrounds - resulted in a win apiece.

So, who will claim the bragging rights tonight?

Referee Declan Hassan starts the action amid the wind and rain at Inver Park.

Carrick haven't won a game at the home of their near neighbours for over a decade - manager Stephen Baxter would love to alter that statistic tonight and keep Rangers' impressive unbeaten run going.

For Larne, after dropping five points across two league games last week, victory is imperative to cement their lead at the top of the Irish Premiership.

Two teams who have been in good form of late go head-to-head at Inver Park.

Larne make two changes from the side which saw their 18-game unbeaten league run come to a halt at Portadown last weekend.

Chris Gallagher is suspended after being dismissed in that game, while Logan Wallace also makes way. Matt Ridley, back from suspension, and James Simpson come into the side.

Carrick boss Stephen Baxter recalls experienced first-choice goalkeeper Nathan Gartside following injury, meaning loanee Lorcan Donnelly reverts back to the bench, while Paul Heatley replaces Adam Lecky in Rangers' other change from their 1-1 draw with Coleraine.

Larne: Ferguson, Cosgrove, Ridley, Donnelly, S Graham, Simpson, Doherty, McEneff, Millar, O'Neill, Ryan.

Subs: D Graham, McKendry, O'Connor, Sloan, Bent, Lusty, Wallace.

Carrick Rangers: Gartside, Place, Burns, McCullough, Olosunde, Buchanan-Rolleston, Crowe, Snoddy, Steele, Heatley, Gibson.

Subs: Donnelly, Cherry, Glendinning, McCawl, Hawthorne, Jeffers, Moore.

Image source, BBC Sport