LEAGUE leaders Crusaders played out a goalless draw with Linfield on Saturday as Cliftonville beat Glenavon 3-0 to move into third spot in the Danske Bank Premiership table.
Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter was sent to the stands at Windsor Park as the woodwork was the closest both sides came to breaking the deadlock. The result means the Shore Road side remain four points clear of the Blues at the top of the table.
Cliftonville are now five points behind their north Belfast rivals, and just a point behind Linfield, after Ruairí Harkin, Jason McGuinness and Davy McDaid all scored in the second-half at Solitude against the visitors from Lurgan.
Portadown are finally in the black in the Premiership table after coming from behind to beat Ards. Michael Ruddy scored from the spot for the north Down men, but Robert Garrett, Stephen Hughes and Brendan Shannon, himself from a penalty, were all on target to secure maximum points for the Ports.
Glentoran’s positive form under new manager Gary Haveron continued as they won away to struggling Carrick Rangers. Stephen Gordon and Curtis Allen put the Glens two goals to the good before Paddy McNally got a consolation effort for Carrick.
Ballymena, meanwhile, ensured they didn’t lose a third game in-a-row with four goals against Ballinamallard at the Showgrounds.
