Cooper double seals Coleraine comeback as Larne suffer first league defeat

Coleraine overturned a two-goal deficit to beat reigning Irish Premiership champions Larne 3-2 at Inver Park on Friday, with Joel Cooper scoring twice to complete the comeback. According to BBC Sport NI, the result handed Larne their first league defeat of the season and moved Coleraine six points clear of Linfield, although their nearest challengers have played two fewer matches.

Watch the highlights:

James Simpson scored both Larne goals to put the hosts in control, before Coleraine produced three goals in a 21-minute spell. Cooper began the recovery with half an hour remaining, finishing after Larne failed to clear Ben Doherty's cross. Nine minutes later, Doherty was involved again as Matthew Shevlin headed the visitors level, setting up a closing period in which Coleraine completed their recovery.

Substitute Kevin O'Hara struck the crossbar shortly before Cooper delivered the decisive goal with nine minutes of normal time left. The turnaround was particularly striking given Larne's defensive record: they had conceded only three goals across their first seven league matches. Coleraine matched that total in one second-half burst, turning a losing position into three points away to the defending champions.

Manager Ruaidhri Higgins told BBC Sport NI that his players' response to falling further behind was the most satisfying aspect of the victory. He said the team had not allowed their heads to drop after Larne's second goal and had gained momentum once Cooper reduced the deficit. Cooper, meanwhile, credited the squad's persistence and confidence in its attacking quality, describing the result as an important statement.

Larne manager Gary Haveron criticised his side's defending but rejected the suggestion that the defeat settled anything in the title race. He pointed to the remaining meetings between the clubs and the amount of football still to be played. Larne are now 11 points behind Coleraine, but have four games in hand following their European involvement earlier in the season; the teams' first league meeting ended goalless.

Coleraine are pursuing their first Gibson Cup since 1974, having changed ownership and adopted a full-time model. Their next league assignment is away to Crusaders at Seaview on 24 October. For Larne, who have won three titles in four years, the defeat leaves an immediate opportunity to respond when they host fellow title challengers Linfield at Inver Park on Tuesday.