Crues seal home advantage in play-offs as Reds beat Glens

Crusaders secured a fourth-place finish in the Irish Premiership, meaning they will enjoy home advantage in the European play-offs.

Crusaders will enjoy home advantage in the end of season European play-offs after their 2-0 win against Coleraine secured a fourth-place league finish.

Glentoran cannot finish higher than fifth as they were beaten 2-0 by Cliftonville at Solitude.

Ten-man Carrick Rangers took a huge step towards securing a European play-off place as they defeated Loughgall.

Dungannon Swifts beat Glenavon 2-0 at Stangmore Park to stay in the hunt for seventh place.

Crues ease past Coleraine

Crusaders marked manager Stephen Baxter's 950th game in charge of the club in style with victory against a below-par Coleraine at the Showgrounds.

In a game of few chances, the Crues broke the deadlock on 21 minutes with Daniel Larmour firing into the roof of the net.

Coleraine failed to clear Ross Clarke's corner and Larmour kept his cool to finish when the ball fell to him.

The away side then doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Clarke fed Adam Lecky, who weaved his way into the box before he was brought down by Lydon Kane.

The referee awarded a spot-kick, with Jordan Forsythe sending Rory Brown the wrong way.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with clear-cut chances at a premium.

A deep corner fell to Conor McKendry on the edge of the area, and his first-time effort was blocked on the line by Clarke, just as it looked to be heading into the far corner.

Stewart Nixon almost added a late third, with Brown thwarting his header from Clarke's cross.

Reds get back to winning ways against Glens

Cliftonville went in front on 11 minutes when Shea Kearney’s cross from the right fell for Stephen Mallon to drill home a low shot, despite Paddy McClean’s efforts to clear off the line for Glentoran.

In a quiet first half, Ronan Hale came close to doubling the home side’s lead when he weaved his way into the penalty area, but his low shot was superbly turned away by Aaron McCarey.

Glentoran almost levelled in first half stoppage time when McClean’s fierce volley was brilliantly kept out by the fully outstretched arm of Reds keeper Nathan Gartside.

The home side doubled their lead on 58 minutes when referee Evan Boyce adjudged that Rory Hale’s free-kick had been blocked by the hand of a Glentoran defender in the defensive wall and Ronan Hale sent McCarey the wrong way from the resultant spot kick.

The closest Glentoran came to an equaliser came with 11 minutes left when substitute Kirk McLaughlin’s curling effort came back off the crossbar.

Defeat means the Glens can finish no higher than fifth in the table.

Dungannon punish wasteful Lurgan Blues

Dungannon Swifts secured their fourth consecutive victory and once again, Tomas Galvin emerged as the hero.

He broke the deadlock for the second consecutive game, capitalizing on Leo Alves' incisive through ball, outpacing the Lurgan Blues' defence before slotting home past Mark Byrne at the near post.

The Swifts extended their lead in the 75th minute through substitute Thomas Maguire, who fired home from close range after Rhyss Campbell's initial effort cannoned off the post.

Despite dominating possession in the hosts' half, Stephen McDonnell's side faltered in the final third, unable to convert their chances.

Their frustration peaked when Len O'Sullivan's effort crashed against the upright in the 19th minute, denying them a crucial breakthrough.

Further disappointment awaited the visitors in the 52nd minute when Peter Campbell squandered a golden opportunity to level the scores.

With only Declan Dunne to beat following Niall Quinn's corner, Campbell failed to find the back of the net.

The result leaves Dungannon eighth, three points behind Carrick Rangers and still with a chance to overtake Stuart King's side in the European play-off race.

Carrick hang on to beat Loughgall

Carrick Rangers are on the verge of securing the final European play-off spot after 2-1 home success over Loughgall.

All of the goals came in a thoroughly entertaining first half.

An unlikely double from Cameron Stewart from a pair of headers that Beraat Turker won't want to see again saw Carrick 2-0 up just after the 20-minute mark.

Stewart was then removed injured before Ryan Waide's screamer halved the deficit.

The first half action was not over as Steven Gordon saw a controversial red card for a challenge on Jordan Gibson.

The second half did not quite live up to the entertainment value of the first, as Carrick hung on despite pressure from the visitors.

The best chance fell to Benji Magee who could only turn Waide's cross wide.

Despite a third win in a row, Dungannon's victory means Stuart King's men will have to wait until the final day to secure seventh spot.