A goal towards the end of each from Davy McDaid and Marty Donnelly earned Larne a deserved 2-0 win away to Dungannon Swifts.
The Invermen provided the first test of Dean Shiels’ reign at Stangmore Park and the Swifts provided a stern test throughout.
Ronan Hale had a couple of early chances to edge Larne in front, firing one effort straight at Roy Carroll with the other dropping wide of an upright.
Dungannon had an opportunity midway through the first half when Rhyss Campbell pounced on a loose ball but his attempt to chip Conor Devlin was only marginally not high enough. Caolan McAleer also had a chance after that but he could only fire wide.
The visitors moved in front on 39 minutes. Tomas Cosgrove collected the ball from Andy Mitchell and crossed into the six yard box for David McDaid to knock home from close range.
Larne might have extended their advantage early in the second when first Hale produced a great save from Carroll while McDaid’s follow up was also kept out before, moments later, Albert Watson failed to find the net with a back post volley.
But Dungannon had their chances too, with Ryan Mayse scooping the ball over from 15 yards while a later curling effort drifted just wide.
However, Larne made sure of the points with nine minutes remaining when, from 20 yards, Martin Donnelly sent a low free-kick below the all and beyond Carroll.
Dungannon Swifts: Carroll, Teggart, Wilson, McAleer, Campbell, Carvill, Convie, Glenny, McGee, M. Smyth, Patterson
Subs Johnston, Coyle, Hughes, Patton, Gallagher, Mayse, Teelan
Larne: Devlin, Watson, Robinson, Herron, Hale (Donnelly), McDaid (McMurray), Lynch, A. Mitchell, Cosgrove, Hughes, Jarvis
Unused subs C. Mitchell, Kelly, Randall McKendry, Wade Slater
Referee: Tony Clarke
