Sport

Battling win over Crusaders highlights Linfield title credentials

With Cliftonville and Larne both winning, Linfield did what they needed to keep their noses in front

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Linfield's Chris McKee shields the ball from Crusaders' Billy Joe Burns during Saturday's game at Windsor Park, Belfast PICTURE: David Maginnis/Pacemaker (David Maginnis/David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

WITH Cliftonville and Larne both winning on Saturday, Linfield did what they needed to keep their noses in front against a battling Crusaders side at Windsor Park.

The Blues went into Saturday on the back of a 10-game unbeaten home run, and they duly made that 11 with a 1-0 win that keeps them four points ahead of champions Larne at the top of the Irish League table and eight ahead of Cliftonville, who have a game in hand.

David Healy’s men took the lead on 26 minutes when Josh Archer got on the end of a pass Kyle McLean threaded through the heart of the Crusaders defence. Archer composed himself quickly before firing beyond ‘keeper Jonny Tuffey.

The Crues were within inches of an equaliser either side of the interval, with Stewart Nixon twice going close. His first-half effort went over the crossbar thanks to a last-ditch touch from a Linfield defender, while his left-footed strike after the break flew just wide of the far post.

Although both sides had the ball in the back of the net in the second-half, both efforts were disallowed. First, Darragh McBrien was deemed to have drifted offside after thinking he had doubled Linfield’s lead.

Then, Crusaders were left disappointed as Chris Johns was deemed to have been fouled in a goalmouth scramble that led to him falling over the line with the ball.

Although Crusaders were the better side for large spells of Saturday’s game, they have now lost five from six in all competitions, and Stephen Baxter will be desperate for victory in this weekend’s clash with Glentoran.

Second-placed Larne are now eight games unbeaten following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.

Leroy Millar gave the defending champions the lead in the 41st minute with his seventh goal of the season after Declan Dunne could only palm Joe Thomson’s long-range strike into the former Ballymena United man’s path.

Four minutes later, Tiernan Lynch’s men doubled their advantage in bizarre fashion when Millar’s attempted finish was saved by Dunne and cannoned off Steven Scott and into the Swifts goal.

Carrick Rangers moved into the top six thanks to a 2-0 win at Coleraine, who have now lost their last six matches. Second-half goals from David Cushley and Daniel Purkis proved enough for Stuart King’s side to pile more misery on the under-par Bannsiders.

The game between Loughgall and Newry City at Lakeview Park was called off due to a frozen pitch.