Cooper hits winner as Linfield go 11 points clear

Joel Cooper has been linked with a move away from Linfield

Joel Cooper scored the winning goal as Linfield moved 11 points clear at the top with a 1-0 win over nearest challengers Dungannon Swifts.

Cooper, who was linked with a move to Coleraine ahead of the game, struck a second-half winner at Stangmore Park.

Linfield are not only 11 points clear of Dungannon in second place but also have a game in hand over Rodney McAree's side, who had goalkeeper Declan Dunne sent off late on.

Elsewhere, Glenavon moved six points clear of bottom side Loughgall with a 3-1 comeback win over Crusaders.

Philip Lowry opened the scoring for the Crues but Michael O'Connor equalised at Mourneview Park.

Peter Campbell put the Lurgan Blues in front before Jordan Forsythe's own goal secured a first league win under manager Paddy McLaughlin.

Ballymena United's BetMcLean Cup quarter-final with Glentoran was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at the Showgrounds.

After a quiet opening 20 minutes at Stangmore Park, James Knowles came close to breaking the deadlock when his free-kick curled just over the crossbar.

Linfield goalkeeper David Walsh was then called into action to make a low save to deny Leo Alves.

In the 34th minute the away side were claiming for a penalty after Gael Bigirimana brought down Matthew Fitzpatrick just inside the box, but referee Declan Hassan waved away their appeals.

Shortly after, Dunne did well to palm away Cooper's strike from range and Jamie Mulgrew was unable to fire home the rebound.

The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute when Cooper travelled forward and sent a low strike into the bottom left-hand corner from the edge of the box.

Linfield came close to grabbing a quick second when Mulgrew's cross wasn't cleared by the Dungannon defence which gave Kirk Millar time to control the ball and send a strong strike towards goal, which made Dunne produce an impressive reaction save.

At the other end Knowles sent a well-timed cross into the box for McGovern, whose resulting header from point-blank range was straight at Linfield stopper Walsh.

Knowles continued to be central to Dungannon's attacks and the midfielder's free-kick crashed off the left-hand post as McAree's side continued to push for a leveller.

The home side's stopper Dunne was then shown a straight red card in the 87th minute for handling the ball outside the box when trying to thwart Fitzpatrick's chance when he was through on goal.

At Mourneview Park, Crusaders drew first blood in the 17th minute when Lowry met Jordan Forsythe's long throw with a deft header, guiding the ball into the far corner for his second league goal of the campaign.

Declan Caddell's side nearly doubled their advantage nine minutes later as Jimmy Callacher's audacious effort from just inside the Glenavon half rattled the crossbar after stand-in keeper Mark Byrne's crucial intervention.

However, the hosts found their rhythm and equalised on the stroke of half-time when O'Connor rose highest to nod home Peter Campbell's pinpoint corner, which sent the teams level into the break.

Glenavon's transformation continued after the interval and they completed the turnaround in the 62nd minute with a devastating counter-attack.

Davy McDaid's excellent vision set 16-year-old Chris Atherton free, who in turn found the marauding Campbell at the back post for a clinical finish.

McDaid's influence grew further as the home side extended their lead 10 minutes later. The forward's deflected shot ricocheted off Jordan Forsythe for an unfortunate own goal.

McLaughlin's men continued to press forward and the impressive Atherton nearly added a fourth late on as his effort struck the woodwork.