PORTADOWN hit the top in the dramatic race for the Playr-Fit Championship title with a dominant 3-0 victory over Bangor at Clandeboye Park on Tuesday night.
An Eamon Fyfe double and a Dougie Wilson goal did the damage with the victory enabling Niall Currie’s Ports - chasing an immediate return to the top flight - to leapfrog over long-time leaders Dundela who slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Portadown-based Annagh United.
With now just four post-split games remaining, the Ports are one point ahead of the Duns, with the pair set to clash at Shamrock Park on April 20.
Third-placed Institute drew 2-2 with H&W Welders at the Brandywell and are now five points off the pace.
The promotion battle is complicated by the fact Dundela will not step up even if they win the title as Wilgar Park is too narrow to pass Sports Direct Premiership rules and the club have said they will not groundshare.
For Portadown, only a title win would guarantee promotion, otherwise a play-off would be their only route back to the big time.
In Section B, Finlay McMullan grabbed a late goal on his Newington debut to earn the north Belfast side a point in a 1-1 draw away to Dergview, who had taken a first half lead through Joel Gibson.
RESULTS
Section A: Bangor 0 Portadown 3; Dundela 0 Annagh United 1; Institute 2 HW Welders 2
Section B: Dergview 1 Newington 1; Knockbreda 2 Ballinamallard United 0
FIXTURES
Saturday, April 6 (3pm)
Section A: Bangor v HW Welders; Dundela v Institute; Portadown v Annagh United
Section B: Ballinamallard United v Newington; Ballyclare Comrades v Dergview; Knockbreda v Ards