Linfield and Larne both lose as title race takes another twist

The Reds found themselves behind twice but kept battling away to pick up a vital win.

Elsewhere second placed Larne were also beat by Coleraine, who raced into an early lead.

And third placed Crusaders were held to a draw at Portadown on a night that the chasing pack gained some ground.

The league leaders edged in front on 12 minutes as the in-form Jordan Stewart grabbed his third goal in as many games with a composed finish after great work by Jamie Mulgrew.

But they were pegged back on 18 minutes as Rory Hale picked out Michael McCrudden in front of goal and he couldn’t miss.

The Blues were back in front again on 66 minutes as Mulgrew picked off a loose pass and he effort deflected off Garry Breen and went in.

The Reds drew themselves level with 17 minutes to go as Conor McMenamin latched on to a long ball before dispatching a compsed finish past Chris Johns.

And he did it again on 82 minutes as another long ball caused problems and he fired home. And in stoppage time Ryan Curran secured the points with a fourth goal.

There was more late drama as Kirk Millar fired in a long range free kick, but the Reds held on for the win.

At Inver Park the Bannsiders broke the deadlock on six minutes as Stephen Lowry slotted home from the penalty spot after Lyndon Kane had been brought down by Ronan Hale in the box.

And it got even better for Oran Kearney’s men as they doubled they advantage four minutes later, this time James McLaughlin robbed Albert Watson and coolly fired home.

Larne reduced the deficit with 16 minutes to go as skipper Watson headed home a corner.

McMurray hit the bar late on but Coleraine took all three points in the end.

At Shamrock Park it was the visitors who took the lead on 25 minutes through Declan Caddell.

An alert Adam McCallum prodded them level before half time.

Five minutes after the restart though Stephen Baxter’s men regained the lead as Paul Heatley fired home, but Leee Bonis’ late strike tied things up again.

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