Linfield edge Ports to go eight clear at top

Chris McKee celebrates scoring against Portadown at Windsor Park

Chris McKee's quickfire double helped Linfield to a 2-1 win over Portadown as they increased their lead at the Premiership summit.

Blues captain Jamie Mulgrew was red-carded after being substituted before the Ports pulled one back as Paul McEvoy netted with seven minutes left.

Dungannon Swifts let slip a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 with Crusaders while it was the same scoreline between Loughgall and Glentoran.

Carrick Rangers beat Ballymena United 2-1 and Glenavon fought back for a 3-3 draw with Coleraine.

McKee makes instant impact

Substitute McKee's devastating two-minute double propelled Linfield to victory over in-form Portadown, though the league leaders endured a nervy finale against their resurgent visitors at Windsor Park.

The Blues struck immediately after the interval when McKee - with his first touch after coming on at the start of the second half - rounded off an intricate move, converting from close range after Kirk Millar's precise delivery followed Matthew Fitzpatrick's instinctive backheel.

The striker's predatory instincts surfaced again just 120 seconds later, clinically finding the bottom corner from Fitzpatrick's measured cutback after Mulgrew had carved open the visiting defence.

Despite the final scoreline, it was the Ports who created the clearer opportunities before the break.

Boris Altintop twice threatened to break the deadlock, squandering a golden chance from point-blank range after Ryan Mayse's initial effort was parried before seeing another goal-bound attempt expertly blocked by Matthew Orr following Steven McCullough's corner.

The visitors' attacking endeavour continued as David Walsh produced an outstanding fingertip save to thwart Ahu Obhakhan from close quarters.

The south Belfast side held on for an important victory after Mulgrew was dismissed for dissent following his substitution with McElroy giving the Ports hope, capitalising on Walsh's parry from Eamon Fyfe's powerful drive seven minutes from time.

Swifts denied by Crues comeback

Crusaders came from two down at the break to claim a share of the spoils in what was a thrilling draw at Seaview, denying Dungannon Swifts second spot in the table.

It was looking good for the visitors at the break as they led 2-0 thanks to a thunderbolt from Tomás Galvin after 15 minutes and they doubled their money nine minutes later as Dean Curry got his head to an Alves corner.

It could have been even more only for Jonny Tuffey to deny John McGovern and the inside of the post to thwart Galvin.

The hosts had a few chances, the pick when Gael Bigirimana scrambled Lewis Barr's powerful header away, but the hosts had it all to do in the second half.

They began with more urgency and were rewarded 10 minutes in with Jordan Forsythe tucking away a penalty after a handball from Danny Wallace.

It was all level five minutes later as a corner to the back-post was helped back inside and Offord stretced to nod home.

Dungannon had chances to get back in front with Jimmy Callacher scrambling off the line as Dillon's shot was helped on by Andrew Mitchell, while John McGovern couldn't direct on target when outstretched and in added time was denied by the crossbar.

The hosts had chances of their own with a Clarke corner almost ending in the net with the help of the wind and Dunne was denied at the death by Dunne, but this game of two halves finnished honours even.

Carrick clinch Showgrounds win

The first real chance of the game fell to Carrick when Paul Heatley’s low shot forced Sean O’Neill into a diving save to his left.

Stephen O’Donnell saw a header from a Danny Lafferty free-kick go straight at Ross Glendinning while at the other end another Heatley snap-shot from a Seanan Clucas pass was beaten out by O’Neill.

The deadlock was broken four minutes into the second period when Nedas Maciulaitis cut inside from the left flank with a strong run before rolling the ball across goal for Danny Gibson to sweep home.

Ballymena levelled on 65 minutes when defender Daithi McCallion smashed home a shot from close range after a Josh Carsson free-kick wasn’t cleared by the visitors.

Carrick went back in front on 70 minutes with a terrific goal from Maciulaitis, who took a pass and spun a defender before curling a superb left-footed shot beyond O’Neill.

Carrick suffered a blow on 75 minutes when goalkeeper Ross Glendinning was sent off for handling Calvin McCurry’s shot outside the penalty area but Ballymena were unable to fashion an equaliser in the remaining time.

Lindsay earns point for Glens

It was a frantic start at Lakeview Park with Glentoran breaking the deadlock after just two minutes when Jordan Jenkins leapt to intercept a poor goal-kick by Nathan Gartside before setting up Dylan Connolly, who made no mistake from the edge of the box.

However, Loughgall equalised almost instantly when a low cross by Nathaniel Ferris was fired through the legs of Daniel Gyollai and into the back of the net by Lewis Francis at the backpost.

The home side took the lead on the 22nd minute after a Pablo Andrade free-kick found the unmarked Ferris, whose first-time finish found the back of the net.

Glentoran nearly responded just as quickly as Loughgall did after falling behind, but Jay Donnelly's on-target strike was knocked on by Jenkins from an offside position, so the effort didn’t stand.

The visitors did level in the second half though with a Jenkins delivery from the left flank converted by the onrushing Charlie Lindsay on the 64th minute.

Last-gasp Glenavon deny Bannsiders

Matthew Snoddy’s goal deep into added time earned Glenavon a deserved point in a thrilling draw with Coleraine at Mourneview Park.

The 95th-minute goal completed a memorable comeback for the hosts, who trailed 0-2 after just 15 minutes after Rhyss Campbell and Jamie Glackin had netted for the visitors.

Davy McDaid made it 2-1 after half-time before Cameron Stewart restored Coleraine’s two-goal advantage minutes later, only for Snoddy to send the home supporters into raptures with his late, late show.

The visitors raced out of the blocks and were two goals to the good inside the opening quarter of an hour.

With just six minutes on the clock Glackin burst past James Carroll into the penalty area before picking out Campbell, in from the opposite wing, who had the simple task of prodding home from close range.

Seven minutes later it was 2-0, this time Glackin with the finish. Picking up possession in midfield he slipped the ball to Corey Smith on the left before continuing his run into the box.

Smith had the intelligence to pick out the playmaker with a return pass and Glackin side-footed the ball under the body of Gareth Deane from 12 yards out.

Glenavon were restricted to efforts from distance in the opening 45 minutes as both Peter Campbell and Matthew Snoddy went close before they were thrown a lifeline just after the hour when Davy McDaid netted his fourth of the season from a Peter Campbell delivery.

Almost immediately, however, the visitors restored their two goal advantage as defender Stewart scored his first for the club, his looping header from a Jamie Glackin free-kick deceiving Gareth Deane.

Back came the home side and McDaid made it 3-2 with his second goal of the afternoon, blasting home a penalty after he had brought down inside the box.

And the comeback was complete as Snoddy was in the right place at the right time to volley home from close range to the delight of home supporters.