Soccer

Irish Premiership review: Ards top of the Irish Premiership

Dungannon’s Andrew Mitchell is congratulated by his team mates after grabbing his second against Cliftonville  
Dungannon’s Andrew Mitchell is congratulated by his team mates after grabbing his second against Cliftonville   Dungannon’s Andrew Mitchell is congratulated by his team mates after grabbing his second against Cliftonville  

Danske Bank Irish Premiership


Ballymena Utd  3  Ards 4; Carrick Rangers 3 Ballinamallard Utd 3;  Cliftonville 1 Dungannon Swifts 2;  Coleraine 1 Crusaders 1;  Linfield 4 Glenavon 0; Portadown 0 Glentoran 1

Ards moved two points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership table after beating Ballymena United 4-3.

Coleraine recovered from falling behind to an early goal to claim a share of the points from Crusaders' visit to The Showgrounds.

Crusaders raced into the lead after just 70 seconds when a Gavin Whyte cross took a deflection off the heel of defender Stephen Douglas and into his own net.

Coleraine went in at the break on level terms when David Ogilby fired home a low free-kick from around 22 yards into the bottom left corner.

Ballinamallard United picked up their first point of the season drawing 3-3 away at Carrick Rangers.

In injury time Mallard's had a chance to win but Shane McGinty's penalty was saved by stand in 'keeper McKeown.

Two Andrew Mitchell goals saw Dungannon Swifts sweep to a 2-1 victory over Cliftonville at Solitude for the first time in 30 visits to the north Belfast venue.

A Kym Nelson goal early in the second half proved to be the difference between Portadown and Glentoran at Shamrock Park.

Aaron Burns grabbed a brace as Linfield claimed a comfortable 4-0 win against Glenavon at Windsor Park.

Josh Carson and Sean Ward were also on the scoresheet for the Belfast Blues while the Lurgan visitors suffered a first league defeat of the season.

The win takes David Healy's side third in the standings and a point ahead of Glenavon.