It wasn’t our night: Magilton

Jim Magilton lamented missed chances as he reflected on Cliftonville’s defeat to Larne at Inver Park last night.

The Reds had twice threatened through Ben Wilson before the hosts broke the deadlock with their first attack and then, after Sam Ashford went close with two shots of his own, Larne doubled their advantage to hold a healthy half-time lead.

The Reds saw Wilson go close again with a fierce strike from distance and then, after Levi Ives turned the ball against his own crossbar, Cliftonville eventually reduced the arrears when substitute Ronan Hale made the most of a goalkeeping error in injury-time.

“We had really brilliant opportunities in the first-half and, on another night, Ben scores two or three and then, because that’s playing on his mind, his pass to Rory (Hale) on the edge of the box is affected by that,” reflected Magilton.

“He’s created great opportunities as well for himself and it’s a brilliant save from the goalkeeper – if they go in, it’s a different complexion.

“They capitalised on two mistakes and the two goals were poor from our point of view, which is disappointing because we haven’t given up goals that easily.”

While frustrated to see so much go against his side, Magilton expressed his pleasure at seeing Hale put his recent injury woes behind him by bagging his first goal of the season.

“When the ball’s whizzed across the six yard box, hits Levi (Ives) and then hits the bar, you’re thinking maybe this just isn’t our night, but we kept going right to the end and I’m delighted for Ronan coming on and scoring a goal – that’ll help his confidence so end,” he added.

“That’s the positive from a very disappointing night for us.”