On a dramatic day of Irish League action, Linfield extended their lead to eight points.
BALLYMENA UNITED 1 CARRICK RANGERS 2
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CRUSADERS 2 DUNGANNON SWIFTS 2
Crusaders Kieran Offord celebrates his goal In Today’s game at Seaview Crusaders v Dungannon Swifts in the Sports Direct premiership Desmond Loughery Pacemaker press
Crusaders and Dungannon Swifts shared the spoils at Seaview in a game of contrasting halves in North Belfast.
The visitors raced to a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to a thunderbolt from Tomas Galvin and a close range header from skipper Dean Curry.
Galvin also hit the post and the Swifts could have been out of sight by half time, but Crusaders were thrown a lifeline when Jordan Forsythe converted a penalty on 56 minutes.
Kieran Offord nodded home the equaliser four minutes later and both sides had more chances to score, but the game ended with honours even.
GLENAVON 3 COLERAINE 3
Glenavon’s Matthew Snoddy celebrates his goal with manager Paddy McLaughlin
Matthew Snoddy hit an injury-time equaliser to give Paddy McLaughlin his first point as Glenavon manager after a dramatic second half at Mourneview Park.
The Lurgan Blues were good value for their 3-3 draw against Coleraine thanks to a much improved second-half performance, which was in stark contrast to how they started the game.
The Bannsiders sailed into a 2-0 lead after a whirlwind opening 13 minutes. Jamie Glackin set up Rhyss Campbell for the first after seven minutes and then scored the second himself – both goals coming after the Glenavon defence had been opened up down the left wing.
A triple change by Paddy McLaugLINhlin after 51 minute sparked Glenavon and they responded just 10 minutes later when Christopher Atherton got onto the end of a Peter Campbell cross and the ball deflected off David McDaid before going into the net.
It looked like all that good work had been undone just three minutes later when Cameron Stewart’s looping header sailed over Gareth Deane and into the net to restore Coleraine’s two-goal advantage.
Glenavon reacted strongly though, forced a corner when Jack Malone was denied from long range and when David Toure’s shot was cleared off the line referee Christopher Morrison had spotted a handball and McDaid scored the resulting penalty with 14 minutes to go.
It was all Glenavon in the final stages and they were rewarded when Campbell’s cross into the box was beaded down by Michael O’Connor and Snoddy finished with the class of a veteran striker to the delight of the home fans.
LINFIELD 2 PORTADOWN 1
Linfield’s Christopher McKee celebrates his first goal
Substitute Chris McKee blasted in a quick-fire second half double to help extend their lead at the top of the League table.
Following a dire opening 45 minutes, the introduction of McKee in place of Cammy Ballantyne during the half-time cuppa, worked a treat.
The 22-year-old was only on the pitch a matter of seconds when Matthew Fitzpatrick’s cute little back flick sent Kirk Millar free inside the box, and when he drilled in a low cross, McKee slotted home.
And he did it again two minutes later. Fitzpatrick was once more involved in the build-up. He spotted the unmarked McKee making a great run into the box and the little striker whipped the ball under the diving Aaron McCarey.
Blues skipper Jamie Mulgrew was withdrawn with 12 minutes remaining, but as he sat in the dugout, he spoke out of turn to the fourth official that earned him a second yellow card.
The Ports pulled one back with seven minutes left. Eamon Fife’s shot from outside the box was spilled by David Walsh and substitute Paul McElroy stabbed home.
LOUGHGALL 2 GLENTORAN 2
It was another afternoon of frustration for Glentoran as they were held at bottom club Loughgall.
Despite taking the lead inside 90 seconds, Declan Devine’s men had to settle for a point after a breathless clash at Lakeview Park.
But after three straight defeats, Loughgall can draw comfort from this in every sense.
Dean Smith’s side may be short on points but they don’t lack character, epitomised by their first half performance when they stormed back to lead 2-1 at the break.
The Glens improved in the second half, levelling through sub Charlie Lindsay, and pushed hard for a winner in the final minutes.
Yet Devine will consider this two points dropped.
His side had made a fast start, racing into the lead after just 82 seconds.
Loughgall goalkeeper Nathan Gartside dwelt in possession, Jordan Jenkins charged down his clearance then steered the ball into the path of Dylan Connolly, who drove home from the edge of the box.
Yet the lead lasted barely a minute as Loughgall hit straight back.
Jordan Gibson slid a precise pass through to Nathaniel Ferris, who turned and crossed to the back post, where Lewis Francis slotted home.
Jay Donnelly almost turned in a cross from Jenkins after a nice Glens move, but then in the 22nd minute Loughgall edged ahead.
A free-kick from Pablo Andrade was aimed towards Ferris, who timed his run perfectly to meet the delivery and volley across goal.
The Glens thought they had levelled when Marcus Kane’s header was turned in by Jenkins, but the forward was deemed offside.
They twice went close late in the half, with Donnelly dragging wide from Daniel Amos’s pass, then aiming Connolly’s cutback straight at the goalkeeper.
But overall it had been a deeply frustrating half for the travelling fans.
Glentoran were sharper in the second half. James Singleton headed straight at the ‘keeper from one big chance, before they levelled in the 65th minute.
Some nifty approach-play down the left saw the ball worked through the home defence, with Lindsay arriving on cue to drive home Jenkins’ delivery.
The Glens pushed for a winner with Singleton testing Gartside and Kodi Lyons-Foster blasting a dropping ball wide.
But Loughgall dug deep to collect a precious point.