Northern Ireland round-up: Late goal gives Newry hope

Newry Town FC kept alive their hopes of avoiding an Irish Premier League relegation play-off by claiming a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Lisburn Distillery FC.

Lawlor winner
The visitors began the day eight points adrift of second-bottom Glenavon FC, but Newry were able to reduce that to five with two matches still left in a game where they went ahead through Martin Reilly's 57th-minute goal. Mark Hollands headed the home side level with a quarter-hour to go, but Graham Lawlor was on target in the final minute to give Newry hope.

Worry for Glenavon
Glenavon, who take on Newry on Saturday, ensured that match would have huge significance as they lost 1-0 to Ards FC. Gary Kennedy scored the game's only goal in the 64th minute after making his first start since last August following a long injury lay-off.

Bangor await opponents
However, a draw in the weekend's encounter would be enough for Glenavon to secure top-flight status and send Newry into the play-off against Bangor FC, who finished fourth in the First Division behind Dungannon Swifts FC, Ballymena United FC, and Limavady United FC and Larne FC, all automatically promoted into the expanded 16-team Premier.

One point away
Crusaders FC are just a point from confirming their status after a 1-0 win against north Belfast rivals Cliftonville FC. Gary Magill's seventh-minute goal kept his team six points ahead of Newry.

Revenge for deposed champions
Portadown FC may have conceded their Premier Division title to Glentoran FC, but they gained some revenge with a 3-0 win against the new champions. With Glentoran below strength ahead of their Irish Cup final against Coleraine FC, Portadown took full advantage, Gary Hamilton opening the scoring in the seventh minute, with further goals coming after the break from Vinny Arkins and Dean Fitzgerald.

Hamill double
Coleraine themselves are close to confirming third place after a 2-0 win at Omagh Town FC. Rory Hamill's fourth-minute overhead kick gave Coleraine a flying start, and the same player scored a penalty three minutes from the end to keep his side five points clear of Linfield FC.

Seven-goal Linfield
However, Linfield had a spectacular evening as they stormed to a 7-0 victory against Institute FC, who had won the sides' three previous encounters this season. Chris Morgan scored a hat-trick, with Peter Thompson, Stuart King, Pat McShane and Mark Picking the other men on the mark.