Larne threaten as Leroy Millar's pass puts Levi Ives in on the left-hand side of the penalty area but Carrick full-back Kurtis Forsythe hurls himself full-length to brilliantly block the shot behind for a fruitless corner.

The visitors are gradually starting to assume a measure of control in this game.

Another chance for the home side as Fraser Taylor bursts forward from midfield to fire a right foot shot past Gareth Deane’s far post.

The ball was given away needlessly in midfield by Coleraine striker Andy Mitchell.

Darren Murphy
Sportsound summariser

Stephen McDonnell is forced to make an early change with Stephen Teggart replacing the injured Conor McCloskey.

The home side so close to opening the scoring in the 11th minute.

Coleraine midfielder Jack O’Mahony fouls Mikey Place on the edge of the penalty.

Steven McCullough accepts responsibility for the free-kick - his curling left footed effort striking the crossbar with Coleraine keeper Gareth Deane rooted to the spot.

Bright start from Ballymena, who are seeking just a fourth league win of the campaign.

Postpublished at 15:15 GMT 26 December 2023

15:15 GMT 26 December 2023

Newry City 0-1 Glenavon

Worrying signs for Glenavon as Conor McCloskey is down receiving treatment and it looks unlikely that he will be able to continue.

Here's how Glenavon's Danny Wallace opened the scoring at the Newry Showgrounds.

Andy Ryan has the first sighter of goal as he finds a yard of space outside the Carrick area but he miscues his shot harmlessly wide.

It's been a fairly abrasive opening at Taylor's Avenue.

Sharp counter attack from Glentoran as Daire O'Connor breaks forward, before teeing up David Fisher in a central area just outside the box.

Fisher's strike sails well over Chris Johns' crossbar.

Quick counter attack from the Glens which caused problems for the Linfield defence momentarily.

There is early frustration for the Reds as Crusaders go man for man with their pressing, and the Cliftonville backline is struggling to play out from the back as a result.

Inevitably Cliftonville are having to go long, handing possession back to the visitors.

Coleraine captain Lyndon Kane is spoken to by referee Ian McNabb following a late tackle on Ballymena midfielder Fraser Taylor.

No card though.

Cliftonville with a glimpse of their pace on the counter-attack as Rory Hale and Ronan Doherty combine after clearing Ross Clarke's corner, but Jarlath O'Rourke is alert to clear Hale's back post cross for the lurking Ben Wilson.

Rhys Annett has the first real shot of the afternoon, with Glens stopper Aaron McCarey routinely saving from the in-form striker.

Moments later, Joel Cooper plays an inviting cross into the box, but Matthew Fitzpatrick can't quite get a toe on it to divert the ball towards goal.

Bright start from the Blues.

First chance of the afternoon and it’s a big one as Conor McKendry capitalises on a defensive error from Ballymena defender Kym Nelson.

Coleraine’s top scorer finds himself one on one with United keeper Sean O’Neill, who does well at the second attempt to gather.

Benji Magee is played in by a lovely Andrew Hoey through ball but curls his effort wide.

Chances at either end at a packed and noisy Lakeview Park.

There's a late change to the Larne line-up as Kieran Lloyd comes in for Sean Graham, who had been on the original teamsheet.

Jordan Owens gets on the end of Lloyd Anderson's cutback, but Chris Gallagher blocks his effort on the edge of the area.

It's the visitors who have started on the front foot at Solitude.