Ronan Doherty sends Cliftonville to top spot with win over Linfield

Not only was the midfielder celebrating his 27th birthday, but he was also making his 150th appearance in a red shirt – his timing was perfect.

In what was a gripping, tense and, at times, bad-tempered affair against reigning Danske Bank Premiership champions Linfield at Solitude, it was Reds boss Paddy McLaughlin who had a huge smile on his face at the finish of the 1-0 home win.

Cliftonville pushed the Blues right to the final day of the league campaign last year. This performance suggested they’ll again be right in the mix come the end of April – they are now three points ahead of Larne and five above David Healy’s title holders.

The Reds got off to the best possible start with that Doherty opener on 12 minutes. The ex-Institute man began the move in his own half and, after a neat inter-change with Sean Moore and Rory Hale that sliced open the Linfield defence, Doherty picked up the ball on the edge of the box before firing low past Chris Johns.

Defender Johnny Addis should have added a second five minutes later when Rory Hale’s cross was flicked on by Joe Gormley, but the former Ballymena United man could only head wide of a gaping goal.

Chris Gallagher then tried his luck with a wicked low drive from distance.

The Blues had a big shout for a penalty when Joel Cooper went down under a challenge from Levi Ives, but referee Tim Marshall wasn’t interested.

Linfield defender Daniel Finlayson was only inches away from equalising six minutes from the interval when his curling shot from the edge of the box shaved past the post.

Seconds before the whistle, it was Cliftonville’s turn to shout for a spot-kick when Doherty appeared to be impeded by Chris Shields, but their pleas were met with a similar outcome.

After a rip-roaring opening 45 minutes, the second half failed to ignite.

But Cooper burst into action on 66 minutes, cutting in from the left before firing in a stinging left-footed effort that Nathan Gartside did well to paw clear.

From the resulting corner-kick by Matthew Clarke, Finlayson’s header was somehow scooped off the line by Chris Gallagher.

Cooper really should have levelled with 18 minutes remaining.

Substitute Andy Clarke threaded a superb pass into the path of the little winger, whose scuffed shot was saved by Gartside.

CLIFTONVILLE: Gartside, Ives, Addis (McDonagh, 61), Gallagher, Rr.Hale (Coates, 83), Lowe, R.Doherty (Casey, 83), Gormley (C.Curran, 77), Turner, Rn.Hale, Moore. Subs (not used): G.Doherty, R.Curran, Robinson.

LINFIELD: Johns, Roscoe, Newberry (Devine, 81), Shields, Cooper, McDaid (A.Clarke, 61), M.Clarke, Finlayson, Mulgrew, Vertainen (McKee, 71), Palmer (Stewart, 71). Subs (not used): Walsh, McClean, Pepper.

REFEREE: Tim Marshall.

RESULTS: Cliftonville 1 Linfield 0, Glenavon 4 Crusaders 2, Newry City 1 Coleraine 2, Glentoran v Ballymena United (postponed).