Peter Campbell snaps at a first-time effort after the Blues fail to properly clear a free-kick.

The strike lacks the necessary power to trouble Chris Johns though, who claims possession easily.

Ben Wylie with another dangerous corner, but no one in a blue and white shirt is able to get on the end of it.

Free-kick in a dangerous area for Portadown and Larne keeper Rohan Ferguson gets down well to save the long-range effort by Steven McCullough.

Larne then go down the other end and Leory Millar misses a great chance to score, with Moore making the save from an acute angle.

Moments later, Paul O’Neill also comes close, with his shot narrowly deflected wide of the post via an Alex Moore save.

Michael John Kamson Kamara meets a cross with a back-post header but Ballymena keeper Brad Wade makes himself big to beat the effort away.

Glentoran are looking threatening in the early stages.

Isaac Baird shows great strength to retain possession before sliding a precise through ball to Josh Archer.

Archer almost takes advantage, drilling a powerful effort towards the near post, but Jacob Carney reacts well to turn it behind for a corner that eventually comes to nothing.

Coleraine think they have taken the lead in the 10th minute but Joel Cooper's lob over Lorcan Donelly is ruled out by an assistant's flag.

Still, a positive start from the away side.

Charlie Lindsay threads a neat pass to Paddy Burns, who tries a quick exchange with Peter Campbell.

The move breaks down on the edge of the area as Campbell's pass is intercepted and the visitors clear.

Matthew Olusunde will have to tread carefully for the remainder of this match after being shown a yellow card for a foul on Coleraine midfielder Ben Wylie.

Another chance goes abegging for Crusaders.

Lloyd Anderson crosses from the left and Stewart Nixon rises highest in the middle, but he can't keep his header down and it sails over.

Peter Campbell curls a free-kick into the danger zone, but the delivery lacks quality and hangs in the air.

Chris Johns moves off his line to gather comfortably, and the hosts waste a promising opening.

Coleraine come close to opening the scoring through Joel Cooper.

Levi Ives' throw sends the winger into space. His first-time left-foot volley crashes off the crossbar.

First chance of the game comes to Larne's Paul O’Neill. He strikes the ball on the edge of the area but he is leaning back and send the ball over the crossbar.

Ben Wylie with the inswinging corner forcing Joe Crowe to head off his own goal line.

Close for Glentoran as Danny Amos overlaps on the left flank and crosses for Jordan Jenkins, who volleys towards goal.

Only to be denied by a stunning reflex save from Ballymena keeper Brad Wade.

First attempt on goal and it goes the way of the hosts.

Winger Elliot Dunlop goes clear down the left before firing in a right-footed effort, but it is straight at Gareth Deane who gathers comfortably.

Kirk Millar attempts to find Isaac Baird in behind, but Harry Murphy reads the danger early.

The defender is alert and shields the ball out of play to see off the threat from the former Glenavon man.

Coleraine on the attack through Zane Okoro, early corner to the visitors.

Ballymena's Kian Corbally bursts into the Glentoran penalty area and goes down under a challenge from Cammy Palmer but referee Ian McNabb is unmoved.

Carrick's Matthew Snoddy gets us under way on a dry but cold afternoon in east Antrim.

The teams have met twice before in the league with Coleraine prevailing on each occasion at the Showgrounds.

However, they have won here - seven days ago in the Irish Cup - in an even game decided only in extra-time.

Expect a similar tough contest this afternoon.

Larne get the game under way here at Shamrock Park.