Kieran O'Connor handed the Reds the lead after just six minutes with a low drive past Chris Keenan from a Ryan Catney pass.

Chris Scannell came within a whisker of making it 2-0 right on the stroke of half-time only for the ball to come back off the underside of the bar.

The Reds remained on top in the second half with Mark Holland heading just over from a Francis Murphy cross while Scannell came close again only send his effort wide.

Larne stunned the home crowd with the equaliser on 64 minutes when Anthony Lagan beat John Connolly at the far post after Ross Black had sent a free-kick into the area.

And Cliftonville finished the game with ten men when Barry Johnston picked up a second booking right at the end for a challenge on Bertie Fulton.