CRUSADERS came out on top in their encounter with Coleraine at Seaview last night, hitting three second-half goals to earn a 3-1 victory.
Coleraine took the lead just before the break when Michael McCrudden fired past Jonathan Tuffey after Andy Scott was fouled inside the square by Jordan Forsythe.
But Crusaders sharp-shooter Forsythe made no mistake when provided with the opportunity to level the game up, tucking home a second half goal.
Further scores from Phillip Lowry and a second from Forsythe followed to seal the deal for Crusaders.
Matthew Fitzpatrick was on song for Glenavon, netting twice as Gary Hamilton’s men earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ballymena United.
Fitzpatrick reacted quickest in the box to slot the ball to the net after 20 minutes and doubled their advantage just after the turnaround.
Glenavon’s top scorer rifled home a loose ball to make it 2-0, but the visitors fought back to cut the deficit to one.
A handball in the box left the referee with no option and Michael Price calmly fired the ball to the net.
Jack Malone netted from the spot for the home team moments later while Craig Farquhar hit a late goal for Ballymena United.
Newry City claimed three crucial points at the bottom of the table when they overcame Portadown away from home, 0-1.
James Teelan, their two-goal hero in their recent 2-0 win over Carrick Rangers, was on target again to earn Darren Mullen’s men maximum points.
Carrick Rangers halted their poor run of form with a 2-0 victory over Dungannon Swifts. A converted penalty from David Cushley handed the eventual winners a one-goal cushion at the break.
An own goal from Dungannon goalkeeper Declan Dunne doubled the Rangers’ advantage on the 75th minute.
Stuart King’s men had lost their last three outings but got back to winning ways by handing the Swifts another defeat.
