Tomas Cosgrove admits scoring the goal which sealed Larne's historic win over Gent was "written in the stars". The defender bagged the winner at Windsor Park on the night his kids were mascots.

Larne had lost their previous five games in the 'league phase' of the UEFA Conference League, but they finally broke down that barrier at the sixth and final attempt on Thursday.

It was a special moment for the Invermen who also pocketed another cool £300,000 bonus for earning a win in the group stages of the competition.

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"Everything just seems to be written in the stars," Cosgrove told BBC Sport NI.

"I couldn't have asked for a better night. I never thought I was going to do it for an Irish League team, but to do it and my kids were mascots tonight.

"I'm proud and speechless. It's something you dream of when you're a kid. You're watching European football on TV and you want to be that match winner, and I did it here tonight."

Cosgrove revealed afterwards that his partner's father backed him to score first in the game at odds of 100/1. His goal meant Larne avoided finishing bottom of the league phase.

"You don't want to be the club with zero points. We thought our chance was gone last week if we're going to be honest," Cosgrove added.

"I said to the boys at half time that this could be our last time ever on this stage.

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"We didn't want to be the team to finish bottom so to get off bottom place is great."

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