Northern Ireland round-up: Coleraine crash at Linfield

Coleraine FC missed the chance to close the gap on the leading duo as they slipped to a 2-0 away defeat at the hands of fourth-placed Linfield FC.

Chance missed
With runaway leaders Glentoran FC and their closest challengers, champions Portadown FC, both inactive at the weekend due to waterlogged pitches, Coleraine were looking to win their game in hand and close the gap to three points on Portadown.

Coleraine run ends
However, Linfield took the lead within 30 seconds of the start of the second half through Glenn Ferguson and made sure of the win 20 minutes later when former Northern Irish international striker Ferguson turned provider to set up substitute Paul McKnight. Linfield's victory ended an 18-match unbeaten run in the league for the Bannsiders, stretching back to 12 October when they lost 1-0 at home to Omagh Town.

Joy for Crusaders
Lisburn Distillery FC failed to hang on to their place in the top six after going down to a 1-0 home defeat by Crusaders FC. Gerard Rowe scored the only goal of the game in the 12th minute to continue Crusaders' climb away from the threat of a relegation play-off. Institute FC took advantage of Distillery's defeat to move back into the top half of the table by virtue of their 3-1 victory at Cliftonville FC.

Creane on target
Cliftonville took an early lead when Barry Patton scored in the seventh minute but Institute battled back to take all three points, as Paul McLaughlin equalised in the 25th minute and Adrian Creane and Stuart Bratton added further goals to leave the hosts still seeking their first win in the league since 21 December, a winless streak covering eleven matches.

Strugglers draw
The two sides at the bottom of the table, Newry Town FC and Glenavon FC, had to settled for shared spoils after a 2-2 draw at the Showgrounds. Glenavon's new manager, Alfie Wylie, returning to the ground where he had started the season in charge, twice saw his side take the lead but they could not hold on for a vital victory.

Hoey the hero
Stephen Hyndes opened the scoring for the Lurgan Blues in the 17th minute but Cathal Brunton levelled for the hosts from the penalty spot midway through the second half. John Devine then restored Glenavon's lead with another successful spot-kick 13 minutes from time. But with five minutes remaining David Hoey equalised again to earn a point for Newry.