Linfield stretch lead at top after victory over Crues

Linfield's Joel Cooper shields the ball in Friday night's game at Seaview

Linfield moved closer to the Premiership title with a 2-0 win at Crusaders sending them 19 points clear at the top.

Blues teenager Matthew Orr headed the visitors in front on 72 minutes before Matthew Fitzpatrick rifled home to seal the victory.

Crues defender Jimmy Callacher hit the bar in a lacklustre first half while Linfield had a goal ruled out for offiside.

Fitrzpatrick lifted the ball over from close range as the leaders began to dominate in the second half before 17-year-old Orr grabbed the opener.

Fitzpatrick's crisp strike six minutes from time secured another three points for David Healy's team.

Linfield's march to a 57th Gibson Cup continued under the lights at Seaview on Friday night.

Blues keeper David Walsh was called into action early on in the first half, denying Harry Franklin with a smart save down to his right. Callacher then came closest to breaking the deadlock late in the second half, but his header struck the crossbar and went behind.

Linfield had the ball in the net on the stroke of half-time but Fitzpatrick was deemed to have been in an offside position as he interfered with play right on the goal line.

The Blues almost found the first goal of the evening early in the second half, as Fitzpatrick couldn't direct Ben Hall's flick-on on target, despite being just a yard from goal.

Linfield exerted control in the second half, and were rewarded as Orr rose highest to meet Kyle McClean's cross to break the deadlock, with his looping header beating Jonny Tuffey.

Fitzpatrick made it 2-0 when his right-foot strike from just inside the box sneaked in at the nearpost.