LARNE regained top spot in the Sports Direct Premiership by crushing an out-of-sorts Cliftonville 8-1 at Inver Park on Saturday night, Andy Ryan firing home a hat-trick for the defending champions.
Reds’ Ronan Hale was sent-off at 2-0. Star striker Hale, already on a yellow, disputed a decision by referee Ian McNabb and was shown red.
Linfield had moved two points clear by beating Crusaders 2-1 at Seaview on Friday night but Tiernan Lynch’s men now have a one-point advantage at the summit ahead of Tuesday night, when Larne go to Glentoran and the Blues host Coleraine. The top two then meet at Windsor Park on Monday, April 22 ahead of the final round of matches on April 27.
The third placed Reds are already assured of European football next season and have the Clearer Water Irish Cup final against the Blues at Windsor Park on May 4 to look forward to.
Coleraine boss Oran Kearney has targeted another Big Two scalp after Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Glentoran at the Showgrounds.
A Matthew Shevlin double helped the Bannsiders secure the three points, Patrick McClean pulling a goal back for the visitors who are a point behind the Crues in the battle for fourth spot.
Now Coleraine turn their attention to Tuesday night’s clash with Linfield at Windsor Park.
Kearney said : “A good performance and happy to get the three points. It was a tough match – the Glens were good but so were we. The wind meant conditions were difficult.
“The focus is on getting to a level to be ready for the (European) play-offs. So the focus is on performances. We will go to Linfield on Tuesday with the focus very much on a good performance.”
Loughgall beat Glenavon 3-1 at Lakeview Park while Carrick Rangers defeated visitors Ballymena United 2-1 defeat.
Dungannon Swifts defeated basement side Newry City 2-0 at the Showgrounds.