INSTITUTE and Portadown took full advantage of a slip by PlayR-Fit Championship leaders Dundela to close the gap at the top of the table.
Kevin Deery’s Stute beat Newington - the north Belfast side coming off a stunning 4-0 midweek success at Shamrock Park - 2-0 at the Brandywell, while the Ports triumphed 2-1 at Ballinamallard.
The Duns had slumped 4-0 at Annagh on Friday night, while Bangor beat Ballyclare 4-0 at Clandeboye Park on the same evening to boost their own promotion hopes.
Dundela now lead second placed Bangor by two points with a game in hand, although the promotion picture is complicated by the fact the Wilgar Park side have not applied for a Premiership licence.
The Ports and Stute are both two points behind Bangor.
Next weekend sees Portadown, Ballyclare, Newington and Institute in Irish Cup quarter-final action against Cliftonville, Glentoran, Larne and Linfield respectively.
RESULTS
Ards 0 H&W Welders 1; Ballinamallard 1 Portadown 2; Institute 2 Newington 0; Knockbreda 1 Dergview 2; Bangor 4 Ballyclare Comrades 0; Annagh 4 Dundela 0
FIXTURES
Tuesday, February 27: Newington v Ards (7.45pm, Inver Park); Dergview v Annagh (8pm)
Saturday, March 2 (3pm): Dundela v Ards; Annagh v H&W Welders; Dergview v Ballinamallard