Coleraine unable to capitalise on Linfield slip

After a goalless first-half, Gary Hamilton’s side took the lead through Matthew Fitzpatrick, who was in the right place to slot home Peter Campbell’s pass across goal.

The visitors responded when Stephen Lowry’s 25-yard effort was deflected over Glenavon keeper Craig Hyland but they weren’t able to find a winner, which leaves them seven points behind Linfield with two games in hand.

It was an evening to savour for Dean Shiels as he picked up his first victory as Dungannon Swifts boss after goals from Callum Byers and Rory Patterson helped them to a 2-1 triumph over Crusaders.

Byers didn’t appear to know too much about his effort as the ball struck him before rolling past Jonny Tuffey but Patterson’s thunderous free-kick was emphatic and put Swifts in the driving seat.

There was no shortage of drama as Jamie McGonigle pulled one back for Crues and they also had a late goal disallowed, but Shiels’ men hung on to secure a first league victory since February 2nd.

Glentoran rallied from a goal down to beat Warrenpoint Town 2-1 and leapfrogged Larne into third position in the process.

Warrenpoint took the lead through Adam Carroll early in the second-half but that sparked Glentoran into action and a matter of minutes later they were level thanks to Conor McMenamin.

Jay Donnelly then rose highest to nod home a Marcus Kane cross – his 14th league goal of the season – to bag all three points.

The majority of the action came at the Loughshore Hotel Arena where Carrick Rangers recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Portadown 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller.

Ben Guy and Lee Bonis put the visitors into an early lead but Carrick got back into the game as Daniel Kelly fired in from close range before Cathair Friel evened affairs.

A Caolan Loughran penalty – the fifth goal in 32 minutes - completed Carrick’s turnaround and they inflicted further pain as Friel grabbed his second and Kyle Cherry curled in a resounding fifth.

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