Linfield manager David Healy says that he is "hurting" after his side's losing run was extended to three games when Coleraine beat the Blues 3-1 at the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds on Tuesday

Former Linfield striker Joel Cooper broke the deadlock just after the restart with substitute Jamie McGonigle adding a second for the home side.

Chris McKee did net from the spot in additional time for the defending league champions, but Will Patching adding Coleraine's third before the full-time whistle.

"We are going through a tough spell at the minute," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"I get the frustration of the supporters. I hurt like them, I support the football club and I want us to do better.

"I said to the players, whether people like to hear it or not, sometimes you have to endure a bit of heartache and pain along the journey to get where you need to be and it is always a little bit better when it happens."

Linfield are now fifth in the Premiership standings, 17 points behind league leaders Larne and 10 off the Bannsiders in second position.

However, despite the poor run being the first time in eight years that Linfield have lost their past three league games, Healy added that they will not sign new players in January "for the sake of it".

"We'll probably look more in-house at more people coming back, then assess in January. We are not going to for the sake of," he continued.

"If something becomes available that will enhance the group and playing squad, we will see what business can possibly be achieved."

Image source, Inpho

Watch highlights as Bangor beat Ballymena United 2-0 in the Irish Premiership at Clandeboye Park on Tuesday night.

Colin Coates
Former Crusaders captain on BBC Sportsound

Larne's performance was excellent; they played some good stuff and thoroughly deserved their victory.

It was a big three points.

Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins said his side's performance in their 3-0 defeat against Larne was "totally unacceptable".

The Bannsiders lost further ground in the title race as they conceded three late goals to fall seven points behind leaders Larne, who also have two games in hand.

And Higgins did not hide his frustrating when speaking to BBC Sport NI after the game at Inver Park.

"It's probably the angriest I've been since I've become manager of the football club," he said.

"We had the opportunity to get ourselves back into the title race...and we failed. We failed badly.

"I'm not one for cheap apologies but I apologise wholeheartedly to our supporters. What we served up on such an important night was totally unacceptable."

Image source, Inpho

Larne boss Gary Haveron praised his team's attitude after an impressive 3-0 victory over title rivals Coleraine at Inver Park.

All the goals came from substitutes late in the game with Andy Ryan's double followed by a Paul O'Neill header.

The win sees the Inver Reds move seven points clear at the top and they also have played two games less than the second-placed Bannsiders.

"The attitude of the boys from the first whistle was plain to see - the desire to get the result was there.," said Haveron.

"I tell the boys that if they believe in themselves as much as I do they are capable of beating anybody in the league.

"It was a really good win but it's only three more points and we move on."

Larne are chasing a third Gibson Cup success in four years.

Image source, Inpho

Larne extended their lead at the top of the Irish Premiership to seven points after a comprehensive 3-0 win over second-placed Coleraine.

Three goals in a 10-minute spell earned the Inver Reds a victory which sends out a strong statement in their pursuit of a third league title in four years.

Substitute Andy Ryan, back after a lengthy knee injury, scored twice within 10 minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute.

Another Larne replacement, Paul O'Neill, wrapped the points with a third goal at a snowy Inver Park.

Read more here.

Two of Saturday's Irish Premiership matches have been postponed due to frozen pitches.

The game between Portadown and Cliftonville at Shamrock Park was called off following a pitch inspection at Shamrock Park on Saturday morning.

Ballymena United's home game against Glenavon was also postponed after a pitch inspection at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Saturday's three other games including Carrick Rangers' home game against title challengers Glentoran, are still set to go ahead as planned.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice in Northern Ireland began at 15:00 GMT on Friday and is due to last until noon on Saturday.

That will be followed by another yellow warning - again for snow and ice - that comes into effect as the first warning ends and will last until noon on Monday.

Image source, BBC Sport

Here is how the league table looks ahead of today's three Irish Premiership games.

Image source, BBC Sport

Hello and welcome to our coverage of today's three Irish Premiership games.

It was meant to be a five-game programme today, but Portadown v Cliftonville and Ballymena United v Glenavon did not survive pitch inspections so we're down to three!

After Larne moved seven points clear of Coleraine at the top of the table with their victory over the Bannsiders last night, it is a chance for Glentoran to make up ground in the title race.

A win for the Glens over Carrick would take them to within two points of second place.

Elsewhere, Linfield will want to address their alarming run of form and keep their slim hopes of retaining the Gibson Cup alive when they host Bangor at Windsor Park.

In-form Dungannon Swifts travel to Crusaders, hoping to extend their five-game unbeaten run in the league.

We will have radio and live text commentary as well as in-play clips, so you won't miss any of the action.

Enjoy!

Image source, Press Eye