Joel Cooper double seals Coleraine comeback win at Larne

Joel Cooper scored twice as Coleraine recovered from a two-goal deficit to defeat Larne 3-2 at Inver Park on Friday. The Irish Premiership leaders scored all three of their goals between the 60th and 81st minutes, ending the reigning champions' unbeaten league start, according to BBC Sport NI's match report and post-match coverage.

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James Simpson had given Larne control of the contest with goals in the 16th and 50th minutes. His opener followed a move involving Dan Bent, Tomas Cosgrove and Paul O'Neill. After the interval, Simpson struck again with a shot that went in off the far post, leaving the visitors facing a two-goal deficit away to the title holders.

Coleraine goalkeeper Lewis Webb then saved from Dylan Sloan before the comeback began. Cooper reduced the deficit on the hour, reacting after Matthew Shevlin's header was blocked. Shevlin made it 2-2 nine minutes later, heading in Ben Doherty's cross. Cooper supplied the winner in the 81st minute when another Doherty delivery reached him via a deflection, and Coleraine resisted Larne's late attempts to equalise.

The result left Coleraine six points ahead of Linfield, although their challengers have two games in hand. Larne also have four games in hand on the leaders. Those outstanding fixtures leave the title race far from settled, even after a night that brought Coleraine an away victory over the defending champions.

Manager Ruaidhri Higgins told BBC Sport NI that his players' response to falling further behind was the most satisfying part of the win. He praised their refusal to lose confidence after Larne's second goal and their determination to keep attacking once Cooper had brought them back into the match.

Larne manager Gary Haveron criticised his team's defending and felt they should have secured the result from their winning position. Before kick-off, Larne had conceded only three goals across seven league games; Coleraine matched that total in 21 minutes. Haveron nevertheless stressed that there was still considerable football to play, including further meetings between the clubs.

Coleraine next face Crusaders at Seaview on 24 October. Larne's next league assignment is against Linfield on Tuesday, giving Haveron's side a quick opportunity to respond against another team in the title race.