All eyes were on the departing Lynch before kick-off, but it was Institute who started the game positively, Stephen Doherty bending a free-kick from the angle of the penalty area just round the post in the opening exchanges before going closer moments later.

Doherty was again involved, this time his inswinging corner headed on to the Larne crossbar by striker Padraig Lynch six yards out in front of goal.

Evan Tweed also went close with a shot from distance while at the other end goalkeeper Gareth Muldoon did well to get down low to his right to hold on to a Conor McKendry daisy cutter midway through the half.

The deadlock was finally broken 13 minutes into the second half, thanks to half-time substitute O’Neill, who raced on to Conor McKendry’s intelligent through ball before calmly lifting the ball over onrushing ‘Stute ‘keeper.

And the visitors doubled their lead through a brilliant individual goal from Graham.

The winger weaved past a number of defenders as he cut in from the right wing before having the presence of mind to curl the ball into the bottom corner of the net past the despairing dive of Muldoon.