Ross Clarke's free-kick is headed wide by Harry Franklin as Crusaders continue to push for the opening goal of the game.

Midway through the second half and the ball has been in the half of the pitch defended by Ballymena for virtually the entire second period.

The home side have yet to find a way through a stubborn Ballymena rearguard, though.

More bookings than goals so far in the second half.

First, Linfield skipper Jamie Mulgrew goes into referee Jamie Robinson's notebook for a late tackle on Dylan Boyle before Coleraine defender Kyle McClelland is shown a yellow card for dissent after appeals for a home penalty are waved away.

As suspected Dean Smith turns to his bench for fresh legs.

Caolan McAleer, Conor Kerr and Conor McCloskey make way for Alberto Balde, Nathaniel Ferris and Jordan Gibson.

Almost an instant impact from Andrew Mitchell as John McGovern pulls the ball back into his path, with his right footed strike just flying over the crossbar.

A lovely by the hosts that almost results in a third goal.

A few fans getting frustrated at the Oval with the lack of cutting edge from the hosts. The game has struggled for tempo so far and it really needs a goal you feel to spark the game into life.

A half chance comes and goes for Coleraine.

A rare defensive lapse sees Jamie Glackin one on one with Chris Johns but the Linfield 'keeper is out quickly to smother.

Crusaders have dominated the second half so far and are starting to ask more questions of the Loughgall defence.

Will Dean Smith turn to his bench to try help weather the storm?

Rodney McAree looks to his bench and makes his first change of the afternoon as Andrew Mitchell comes on in place of Leo Alves.

25 minutes left on the clock at Stangmore Park.

Ballymena make a change just after the hour mark as Joe Moore replaces Calvin McCurry on the left flank.

Harry Franklin's cross from the left flank is headed off target by Kieran Offord, who has another opportunity seconds later but, once again, he sends his effort wide.

A well-worked corner comes to nothing for Linfield as Kirk Millar overhits his cross, but David Healy will be pleased with the invention, if not the execution.

Jay Donnelly on for Glentoran now as they push to find an elusive opener.

Niall Quinn and Keith Ward are on for Glenavon.

Portadown go close again as they work the ball into Ryan Mayse on the right-hand side of the penalty area, but his low shot hits the side netting when rolling it across the face of goal might have been a better option.

The Ports have started the second half brightly, though, as they chase an equaliser.

Stuart King looks to his bench for the first time as Curtis Allen replaces Danny Gibson up front.

Sixteen-year-old Josh Williamson, making his senior debut this afternoon, has been impressive so far and has just had a good chance to break the deadlock.

However after finding space in the box, his close range strike sails just wide.

Joel Cooper cuts in on his left foot and gets a low shot away but Coleraine 'keeper Rory Brown is equal to the task, diverting the ball away from danger.

An early change in the second half for Linfield as Joshua Archer replaces Matthew Fitzpatrick.

Suspect the big striker may have picked up a niggle in the opening 45 minutes and manager David Healy is taking no chances.

The visitors are close to clawing a goal back at Stangmore Park.

Kyle Cherry's cross from the left was met at the back post by Cameron Stewart, who headed the ball down into the ground across goal, but no Carrick player was on hand to fire the ball home.

That was a big chance for the visitors to get one back.