Larne made it six consecutive Irish Premiership wins without conceding a goal as they beat Carrick Rangers 2-0 at Inver Park to move to within one point of leaders Glentoran at the top of the table.

Goals from Matt Lusty and Dan Bent in either half secured all three points for the in-form east Antrim side.

Linfield returned to winning ways after their midweek defeat by Ballymena by seeing off Glenavon 2-0 at Windsor Park.

Kyle McClean scored both for the Blues as they condemned their visitors to an eighth loss from eight league outings.

Dungannon Swifts ran out 2-1 winners over nine-man Cliftonville at Stangmore Park while Crusaders grabbed a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Ballymena United.

Larne win with another clean sheet

Larne broke the deadlock in the east Antrim derby in the 23rd minute when Conor McKendry’s cross into the box caught the Carrick defence sleeping with James Simpson controlling the delivery and passing across to Lusty, who found the back of the net.

Carrick pushed for a quick leveller with Rohan Ferguson forced to make a great save to deny Billy Joe Burns’ header with Luke McCullough unable to convert the rebound.

At the other end, a shot from McKendry curled just over the crossbar as the Inver Reds pushed for a late first half goal.

After the restart, Carrick dominated possession and created plenty of half chances but struggled to test stopper Ferguson.

Interim manager Gary Haveron’s side extended their lead with just six minutes to go after Nathan Gartside palmed Sean Graham’s corner onto the crossbar with Bent on hand to fire home the rebound from point-blank-range.