Lincoln Red Imps Stun Larne With Late Conference League Comeback

Lincoln Red Imps produced a dramatic late comeback to eliminate Larne from the UEFA Conference League, winning the second leg 3-0 after extra time and overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit. The result ended Larne's attempt to reach the competition's league phase for the second time in three seasons.

Watch the highlights:

BBC Sport reported that the return match remained goalless until the closing stages of normal time, with Larne still holding their two-goal aggregate advantage. Kike Gomez then scored for the Gibraltar side before Manu Toledano struck two minutes later, leveling the tie and transforming a contest that had appeared to be under Larne's control.

Larne's position worsened before the end of the 90 minutes when Montel Gibson received a second yellow card. The Northern Irish champions nevertheless took the tie into extra time and appeared close to forcing a penalty shootout despite playing with 10 men.

The decisive moment arrived in the final minute of extra time. Chris Gallagher conceded a penalty, giving Toledano the chance to complete the turnaround. He converted to make it 3-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate, sending Lincoln Red Imps through while leaving Larne eliminated in the qualifying play-off.

Larne manager Gary Haveron described the defeat as heartbreaking in comments reported by BBC Sport NI. He said his team had been excellent for 82 minutes but had not taken its chances. Haveron also believed Larne had limited the visitors for much of the second half before Gomez's goal shifted the momentum.

Haveron questioned the buildup to Lincoln's first goal, arguing that a handball should have been awarded, and considered Gibson's first booking harsh. However, he also acknowledged that Larne's game management late in normal time had fallen short. He said he remained proud of the team's effort and disappointed that the club could not secure league-phase football for the wider Irish League as well as for itself.