Healy left 'frustrated' with Larne stalemate

Linfield manager David Healy says it was "frustrating we haven't won" as his side had to settle for a scoreless draw at home to league leaders Larne on Friday.

The result saw Larne increase their lead at the top to 11 points with Linfield 16 behind, albeit with a game in hand, and Healy felt his side could have found a winner late on.

Euan East was forced off in the first half with an injury as Darragh Leahy came on for his debut and while Healy took come positives from the game, he was nonetheless disappointed his side could claim the three points.

"We've done enough to win, especially late on, but realistically, Larne are the in-form team in the league and we're all chasing them," the Linfield manager told BBC Sport NI.

"The two injuries we received early certainly didn't help us, but the subs came on with Darragh on for his debut [were a positive]. I was wary of starting Dara tonight having not played since late October.

"I was pleased with the effort, pleased with the performance, but frustrated and disappointed we haven't won the game."

It was the second scoreless draw in the league for Linfield as they were held at Carrick Rangers on Tuesday, but Healy felt the performance against Larne was an improvement.

"Down to 10 men against Carrick the other night, you're still hoping you can create the golden chance to get the goal but we didn't," he continued.

"There have been other times lately where I felt the level of performance just hasn't been where it should be and the players understand that.

"We have no divine right right to win league titles year-on-year. You have to work year-on-year to achieve that and I've always said the hardest thing to maintain is success."