Irish Premiership: Linfield 5-2 Ards

Linfield remain four points clear at the top of the Premiership after coming from behind to beat bottom club Ards.

Willie Faulkner unleashed a 25-yard shot past Jonny Tuffey in the second minute but Niall Quinn whipped a free-kick into the net nine minutes later.

Michael Carvill rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home after 41 minutes.

Matthew Tipton scored a penalty on 50 minutes, Ben Roy tapped in for Ards and then Quinn curled in another free-kick and Kyle McVey headed the fifth on 80.

Faulkner's opener came as a major shock to the league leaders but the Blues responded quickly with Quinn's free-kick, which Graeme McKibbin could only palm into the net.

After Carvill found the net, Tipton converted from the spot after McKibbin had brought down Jamie Mulgrew inside the area.

Roy's strike after 65 minutes gave Ards hope of an unlikely point, before Quinn made the points safe on 70 with his second goal of the match.

Defender McVey headed in at the back post after meeting a pinpoint corner to make the winning margin even more comfortable.