Lincoln Red Imps Complete Late Extra-Time Comeback to Eliminate Larne

Lincoln Red Imps produced a late comeback at Inver Park on Thursday to beat Larne 3-0 after extra time and advance 3-2 on aggregate to the UEFA Conference League league phase. Larne had won the first leg 2-0 in Gibraltar and remained ahead in the tie until the closing stages of the return match, BBC Sport reported.

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Kike Gomez began the turnaround in the 82nd minute, cutting in from the right before scoring past Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson. Manu Toledano then headed in from a Nano corner three minutes later, bringing Lincoln level on aggregate and changing a tie that Larne had controlled on the scoreboard for most of the night.

Larne's position became more difficult when substitute Montel Gibson was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card in the 87th minute. Jordan McEneff had a chance to restore the hosts' aggregate advantage in stoppage time but headed wide from close range, and the match moved into extra time with the teams level across the two legs.

The decisive moment came in added time at the end of the additional 30 minutes. Chris Gallagher was penalised for bringing down Toledano in the Larne area. Toledano took the resulting penalty and beat Ferguson, completing his two-goal contribution on the night and sending Lincoln through before a shootout could take place.

The Northern Ireland Football League's match report said Larne had also created opportunities before the collapse. Matty Lusty tested goalkeeper Nauzet Santana in the opening minute, Tomas Cosgrove had a second-half header saved and Kevin O'Hara sent a low effort narrowly wide after coming off the bench. Lincoln had threatened as well, with Nano hitting the crossbar from distance during the first half.

Larne manager Gary Haveron described the outcome as heartbreaking in comments reported by BBC Sport. His team had been attempting to reach the Conference League league phase for the second time in three seasons. Instead, Lincoln advanced after scoring all three of their second-leg goals from the 82nd minute onward, turning a two-goal aggregate deficit into qualification during the final stretch of the tie.