Glentoran celebrate Marcus Kane's goal against Linfield in Friday night's gamePress Eye

Glentoran celebrate Marcus Kane's goal against Linfield in Friday night's game

Glentoran bravely held on for a 1-0 victory over Irish Premiership pacesetters Linfield despite playing for over 30 minutes with 10 men.

It's a win which moves the Glens up to third place and came after a resilient display at the Oval.

The hosts bossed the first half, although the Blues went close to an opener when Joel Cooper's low shot was tipped onto the post by Daniel Gyollai

Glentoran were rewarded for their dominance on the stroke of half-time as captain Marcus Kane hammered home from close range.

Linfield seized control after James Douglas was dismissed for two yellow cards on 58 minutes.

They created a series of chances but Glentoran stood firm to secure a double over their Big Two rivals after last month's 3-1 victory at Windsor Park.

The Glens jump four places into the top three while Linfield remain eight points clear at the top.

Watch: Glentoran v Linfield

Glentoran came out of the traps the shaper and more hungry side, although they had to wait until the final seconds of the first half to make their dominance count.

The hosts were first to threaten on four minutes as Dylan Connolly squared to Jay Donnelly and his strike was kept out by David Walsh.

Linfield's only meaningful attack of the half almost resulted in the opener with Cooper's low shot palmed on the post by an outstretched Gyollai.

Glentoran pushed for the breakthrough but the Blues defence held firm and restricted them to half-chances.

James Singleton went close when his 25-yard effort took a deflection and flew inches wide of the Linfield woodwork.

Persistence paid off for Declan Devine's men as they finally broke the deadlock seconds into added time.

Linfield failed to deal with Daniel Amos' inswinging corner and the ball fell for an unmarked Kane to blast into the net from three yards out.

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Tim Marshall shows James Douglas a red card as Jamie Mulgrew lies injured

Linfield upped the tempo on the restart but Glentoran remained relatively comfortable until the dismissal of Douglas.

Tim Marshall showed the teenager a second yellow for a high foot on Jamie Mulgrew, with Devine making his anger at the decision clear on the sideline.

The momentum switched and the Blues began to pile on the pressure with Gyollai coming to his side's rescue again by denying Dane McCullough.

Kirk Millar swung his free-kick just wide before Josh Archer rifled a half-volley over from 12 yards after Gyollai punched out from a corner.

Gyollia was again called in action to tip Scot Whiteside's header over while Kane marshalled a brave Glens rearguard.

Glentoran had to see out six minutes of added time and the visitors threatened a last-gasp leveller as Ethan McGee's backpost shot was diverted over the bar.

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