Crusaders lead 1-0 at the break at Coleraine thanks to Jacob Blaney's 35th minute header from a Ross Clarke free-kick on the edge of the box.

The home side squandered a host of chances in the opening 45 minutes as Rhyss Campbell, Connor Murray and Matthew Shevlin all missed good opportunities.

You get the feeling there will be more goals after half-time.

Two huge chances at the end of the half for the home side, but we're still waiting for the opening goal at the Oval.

Another huge chance for the Glens!

James Singleton again with the opportunity, but he can't fire home a Jonny Russell cross from the right wing.

A forgettable first 45 minutes at Solitude where both sides' recent poor form is evident.

The Reds' attacking struggles continue while the Villagers' best moment came through James Carroll's header against the post.

That Alex Gawne effort is the last meaningful effort of the half as Declan Hassan blows his whistle.

It hasn't been the most memorable 45 minutes but you get a sense that something is still waiting to happen.

In the dying moments of the half, James Carroll delivers an inviting cross towards Nathaniel Ferris, but the Villagers' top scorer can't generate enough power in his header to trouble David Odumosu.

A first half hat-trick from Joel Cooper gives Linfield a three goal cushion at the break.

Portadown haven't helped themselves at times, but the Blues and Cooper in particular have been ruthless in the final third.

Hard to see any way back for Niall Curry's side in the second half.

James Singleton has the ball in the back of the net after he had converted a well-timed through ball from Jay Donnelly.

However, the linesman's flag is up as Singleton was offside.

Ballymena go close in first half stoppage time as Alex Gawne's swerving shot is well tipped over by Carrick keeper Ross Glendinning.

Emmet McGuckin is the latest name in referee Declan Hassan's notebook for a foul on Caolan Loughran.

At least four additional minutes to be played.

Nathaniel Ferris bundles the ball home after David Odumosu fails to gather cleanly, sparking brief celebrations from the Villagers' frontman.

However, the assistant's flag is quickly raised, much to the relief of the home support.

Here is how Jacob Blaney opened the scoring for Crusaders at the Showgrounds.

Nedas Maciulaitis slips a clever reverse pass into the path of Paul Heatley who takes his snap-shot instantly from an acute angle but Ballymena keeper Sean O'Neill is alert to tip the effort over.

Matthew Fitzpatrick is the latest player to go in Tim Marshall's book after a succession of fouls throughout the first half.

Just a couple of minutes left before the break.

A well-worked corner routine from Coleraine sees Jamie Glackin step over the ball, allowing Connor Murray to run on to the ball.

Unfortunately for the midfielder he gets his connection all wrong and he screws his shot badly wide of the target.

Nathaniel Ferris creates space for himself after linking with Jordan Gibson, but the striker's effort from a tight angle fails to trouble the target as the visitors show signs of growing into the game.

Paul Leeman
Former Glentoran captain on Sportsound

Glentoran's forwards have been starved of the ball and have created very little so far.

A superb tackle from Frankie Hvid denies Benji Magee a goalscoring opportunity.

It's been a quieter last five minutes here, but it's Larne who still look more likely to score before the break.

Watch Joel Cooper complete his first-half hat-trick against Portadown with a composed finish.