Irish Premiership: Disputed winner as Coleraine beat Linfield

Linfield's Josh Robinson claimed he cleared the ball before it crossed the line

Premiership leaders Coleraine scored a controversial winner against champions Linfield to go five points clear at the top of the table.

Jamie McGonigle's 88th-minute effort was adjudged to have crossed the line and Blues boss David Healy was sent off for arguing about the decision.

Brad Lyons had headed Coleraine into the lead with Mark Haughey equalising.

Glenavon move up to second place thanks to a 3-2 win away to Crusaders while Cliftonville won 2-0 at Glentoran.

Elsewhere Ballymena beat Ards 6-3 while lowly Carrick came from behind to defeat Dungannon 2-1.

• Relive the drama from the Irish Premiership

Coleraine went into their top two clash against Linfield without front men Eoin Bradley and Josh Carson.

Stephen O'Donnell was booked for fouling Andrew Waterworth just outside the penalty area

The Bannsiders had a scare when Stephen O'Donnell brought Andrew Waterworth down just outside the penalty area with the Linfield striker looking through on goal, the Coleraine defender escaping with a yellow yard.

Coleraine, unbeaten this season, took a 54th minute lead through a Brad Lyons header and Blues defender Haughey levelled with a fine header from a corner.

The big talking point, though, was McGonigle's winner, with Linfield insisting Josh Robinson had booted the ball away before it had fully crossed the line.

But referee Arnold Hunter and his assistant gave the goal and Linfield boss Healy was ordered off for the nature of his protests.

"I had a quick look at a video clip and it was inconclusive - it looked very tight," said Coleraine manager Oran Kearney.

"But the flag went up and we won 2-1. I'll take that."

Andrew Mitchell's fine run with Glenavon continued with a goal against Crusaders

Meanwhile, Glenavon were 3-1 up at Crusaders inside the opening half hour.

Mark Sykes snapped up a third minute opener, Paul Heatley fired a brilliant equaliser and Marc Griffin restored Glenavon's lead before Andrew Mitchell swept in the visitors' third.

David Cushley shot in a late goal for Crusaders but Glenavon had done enough for only their second league win at Crusaders in 14 years.

Cliftonville won their fourth league match in a row, Rory Donnelly scoring in each half of their 2-0 win away to Glentoran.

Ballymena's six goals at home to Ards were scored by different players - Gary Thompson, Andrew Burns, Cathair Friel, Joe McKinney, Leroy Millar and Kevin Braniff.

The Ards goals were scored by Gareth Tommons, Ben Arthurs and Michael Ruddy.

Ally Teggart gave Dungannon an interval lead away to Carrick Rangers but goals by Lee Chapman and Michael Smith gave the hosts the win which ended the Swifts' four-match unbeaten Premiership run.