Summary

  • Ballymena United 3-0 Portadown (Res)

  • Coleraine 2-0 Glentoran (Res)

  • Crusaders 3-0 Carrick Rangers (Res)

  • Glenavon 2-0 Dungannon Swifts (Res)

Live Reporting

Richard Petrie and John Haughey

  1. The final whistle

    Signing off

    That's it from another busy and eventful day in the top flight.

    Crusaders have laid down the gauntlet to nearest challengers Linfield by extending their lead at the top to 10 points. Can Linfield respond when they take on Cliftonville at Windsor Park on Monday night?

    The Blues have nine wins and a draw from their last 10 games in all competitions while their opponents have won just two of their last 11 so the formbook appears to favour David Healy's side.

    The Reds are winless in February BUT two of Linfield's three league defeats this campaign have come at the hands of the Solitude outfit.

    It's all set up for a thrilling contest between the big Belfast rivals.

    Thanks for joining us and you can read a report of all today's action here .

    Highlights videos from all today's games will appear on the BBC Sport NI website tonight so keep an eye out for those. Bye for now.

  2. What they said

    Crusaders 3-0 Carrick Rangers

    I am happy that we stuck at it until the end but we were beaten by the better side and I believe they are the champions elect. I am disappointed with the goals we conceded. Six or seven players had 'off days' and you can't afford that against a team as good as Crusaders.

    Aaron Callaghan, Carrick Rangers manager

  3. What they said

    Crusaders 3-0 Carrick Rangers

    I thought today we were really clinical. We made about 15 chances and it should have been 8, 9 or 10 because we played exceptionally well. Brian Neeson made several stunning saves and it was as good a performance as I've seen from ours side for a while.

    Stephen Baxter, Crusaders manager

  4. What they said

    Glenavon 2-0 Dungannon Swifts

    It was a very lacklustre display from us and there were a lot of players who let themselves down today. We were not committed, we showed no desire or bravery and we looked like we were here just to fulfil a fixture. I am deeply embarrassed. A performance like that is not acceptable and it will take quite a while to get over this one.

    Rodney McAree, Dungannon Swifts manager

  5. What they said

    Glenavon 2-0 Dungannon Swifts

    The boys worked their socks off and it was a complete performance from us. The first 15 minutes or so was pretty even but then we got into our stride and the boys were excellent.

    Paul Millar, Glenavon assistant manager

  6. What they said

    Ballymena Utd 3-0 Portadown

    It's all about squad competition and the players who came into the side following last week's defeat by Coleraine responded tremendously well. We upped the tempo in the second half and I'm pleased for Michael Kerr who scored the opener, and we went on from there.

    David Jeffrey, Ballymena United manager

  7. What they said

    Coleraine 2-0 Glentoran

    I am bitterly disappointed, particularly in the manner of the two goals we conceded against the run of play. We played some decent football and started brightly, then we conceded a 'nothing' penalty and let one in from a set play. It's been the story of our season - we have plenty of possession and get the ball into good areas but the final ball is not quite right. We are not clinical enough in front of goal and don't take our chances.

    Gary Haveron, Glentoran manager

  8. What they said

    Coleraine 2-0 Glentoran

    We weren't at our best today - it wasn't up with one of four best performances of the season but we kept Glentoran at bay and scored our goals at good times. Everyone was on a high after last week but today was about getting the three points.

    Oran Kearney, Coleraine manager

  9. FULL-TIME

    Glenavon 2-0 Dungannon Swifts

    Glenavon guarantee their top-six spot this season as first-half goals from David Elebert and James Gray secure a comfortable win over Dungannon Swifts.

    Mourneview Park-bound Andrew Mitchell had a couple of chances for the Swifts but it was a rather flat display by the visitors.

  10. FULL-TIME

    Ballymena Utd 3-0 Portadown

    A comfortable victory in the end for David Jeffrey's side.

    They remain fifth in the table and keep up their pursuit of Cliftonville and Coleraine, who occupy third and fourth position respectively.

  11. FULL-TIME

    Crusaders 3-0 Carrick Rangers

    Crusaders extend their Irish Premiership lead to 10 points after this comprehensive victory over second-bottom Carrick Rangers. Could have been a cricket score but for Carrick keeper Brian Neeson's heroics.

  12. FULL-TIME

    Coleraine 2-0 Glentoran

    Fourth-placed Coleraine move to within one point of Cliftonville above them in the table by seeing off Glentoran 2-0. Ten wins and a draw from 11 outings for Oran Kearney's resurgent Bannsiders.

  13. MISSED PENALTY

    Crusaders 3-0 Carrick Rangers

    Brian Neeson continues his goalkeeping heroics right to the end as he saves a rather telegraphed Richard Clarke penalty. What would the scoreline have been had Neeson not been in nets for Rangers?

  14. Billy Joe Burns with a neat finish from a tight angle

    Crusaders 3-0 Carrick Rangers (L)

    Billy Joe Burns with a great finish to make it 3-0 to Crusaders

  15. RED CARD

    Coleraine 2-0 Glentoran

    Glentoran's Eric Foley receives a straight red card for dissent minutes after Jay Magee and Ross Redman were booked for what seemed like similar, but less serious, offences.

    The visitors down to 10 men and two goals down. Another disappointing day for Glens manager Gary Haveron and his charges.

  16. PENALTY

    Ballymena Utd 3-0 Portadown

    The Sky Blues are on 'easy street' now as the prolific Tony Kane makes no mistake from the penalty spot to put three goals between the sides in the 77th minute.

    The penalty was awarded after goalkeeper Jack Duffin brought down Joe McKinney.

    That makes it 13 penalties and 19 goals for the former Blackburn Rovers and Cliftonville defender-cum-midfielder.

    A one-sided second half unfolding at the Showgrounds to the delight of the majority of the 1,045 attendance.

  17. goal

    GOAL

    Coleraine 2-0 Glentoran

    Glentoran's dismal run of form looks set to continue as the Bannsiders extend their advantage courtesy of Jamie McGonigle's seventh goal in seven games.

    Ciaron Harkin provided the prefect delivery and McGonigle popped up to head home at the back post.

    In-form Coleraine looking nailed on for 10 wins and a draw from 11 games in all competitions as it stands.

  18. Lowry lauded

    Crusaders 3-0 Carrick Rangers

    Philip Lowry gave Crusaders an early lead against Carrick rangers at Seaview Presseye

    Philip Lowry gave Crusaders an early lead against Carrick rangers at Seaview

  19. goal

    GOAL

    Crusaders 3-0 Carrick Rangers

    Game over here as Billy Joe Burns strokes in the third Crusaders goal from a tight angle after a long ball releases him down the home team's left flank.

    Billy Joe Burns in action for Crusaders against Carrick Rangers Press Eye

    Billy Joe Burns scored Crusaders' third goal against Carrick Rangers

  20. RED CARD

    Ballymena Utd 2-0 Portadown

    Portadown defender Ken Oman is sent-off for kicking out in an off-the-ball incident. A straight red card. Portadown down to 10 men and seemingly out of this game now.