Summary

  • Ballymena United 4-1 Cliftonville

  • Crusaders 3-2 Coleraine

  • Linfield 3-0 Glenavon

  • Ards 3-2 Portadown

  • Ballinamallard United 1-4 Dungannon Swifts

  • Carrick Rangers 1-2 Glentoran

  1. Good night!published at 22:06 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    That's all from us, folks. After another thrilling night's action, Crusaders remain a point clear of Linfield at the Irish Premiership summit after the sides recorded wins over Coleraine and Glenavon respectively. 

    Portadown's relegation to the second-tier has finally been confirmed, meanwhile, after they lost 3-2 to Ards. 

    Make sure you stay tuned to the BBC Sport NI website for all the goals and highlights from tonight's games, and we'll do it all again on Saturday as Crusaders travel to Ballymena United and Linfield visit Coleraine. 

  2. What they saidpublished at 22:02 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ards 3-2 Portadown

    A crestfallen Niall Currie gives us his thoughts after Portadown's relegation was finally confirmed tonight following a 3-2 defeat to his former team Ards.

    Quote Message

    I honestly believed we had a chance but I think tonight tells its own story because we had that many kids helping us out in a relegation dogfight. It's been a very unhappy time at the club for a long time, if I'm honest, but I'm lucky to have these supporters with me. A totl rebuild is needed at the club. There are going to be a lot of players leaving in the summer but I've had to do it before and I'll have to do it again. It's going to be tough, but I'm still excited by the challenge.

    Niall Currie, Portadown manager

    Portadown manager Niall CurrieImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    Portadown manager Niall Currie

  3. What they saidpublished at 21:53 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Crusaders 3-2 Coleraine

    Stephen Baxter has been speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Sportsound...

    Quote Message

    I thought we dominated from start to finish, but they changed their shape a bit and began to pass the ball better, as they tend to do because Coleraine are a top side. But sometimes you have to get a job done and that's what we did tonight. I told the players a couple of weeks ago we had to step it up and we've had a real crack at it over the last two games. I have to be happy with that.

    Stephen Baxter, Crusaders manager

    Crusaders boss Stephen BaxterImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter

  4. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:39 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ballymena United 4-1 Cliftonville

    A big win for Ballymena, and they're now just three points behind fourth-placed Cliftonville. Kyle Owens, Johnny McMurray (2) and Cathair Friel with the goals for hosts - Stephen Garrett getting Cliftonville's goal.

  5. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Carrick Rangers 1-2 Glentoran

    Glentoran edge a fairly forgettable game at Taylors Avenue, with Jonathan Smith and Curtis Allen on target for the visitors. 

  6. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:36 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ards 3-2 Portadown

    Portadown are relegated from the Premiership - they needed a win to maintain hopes of staying up but they drop out of top-flight football. 

    Portadown are relegated from the Irish PremiershipImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Portadown are relegated from the Irish Premiership

  7. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:36 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Crusaders 3-2 Coleraine

    It's all over! For the second time in three days, Crusaders edge a five-goal thriller having come from behind to clinch another hugely important victory en route to retaining their title. 

    With Linfield winning comfortably, it's as you were at the top of the table. 

    Coleraine's long unbeaten streak finally comes to an end but they'll be relieved that Cliftonville have lost to Ballymena, so they maintain their advantage over the Reds in the race for third place. 

    On the balance of play, Crusaders thoroughly deserved the victory - but don't they make it hard for themselves? They march on with two games left.

  8. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:36 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ballinamallard United 1-4 Dungannon Swifts

    An emphatic win for Rodney McAree's Swifts and they're on target to finish seventh and earn a place in the end-of-season play-offs for a place in next season's Europa League.

  9. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:33 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Linfield 3-0 Glenavon

  10. goal

    GOALpublished at 21:32 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ballymena United 4-1 Cliftonville

    Johnny McMurray scores again and the night is getting even better for David Jeffrey's Sky Blues. Their fourth goal coming in the 88th minute.

  11. Tense climax in store at Seaviewpublished at 21:29 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Crusaders 3-2 Coleraine

    There's an overriding sense of unease in the stands as Crusaders sit back for these final few minutes. Every time Coleraine gain possession, you can cut the tension with a knife. There's only five minutes left but it will feel like an eternity for those Crusaders supporters. 

  12. RED CARDpublished at 21:29 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ards 3-2 Portadown

    Both teams are now down to 10 men as Ports mifdielder Sean Mackle is shown a straight red-card after an off-the-ball incident.

  13. goal

    GOALpublished at 21:26 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ballymena United 3-1 Cliftonville

    Ballymena extend their lead at the Showgrounds through Cathair Friel who can hardly miss from close-range - Johnny McMurray the provider this time. Eleven minutes left here.

  14. goal

    GOALpublished at 21:25 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Carrick Rangers 1-2 Glentoran

    Curtis Allen gives Glentoran the lead, burying with typical aplomb after Stephen O'Flynn beat his man and fired across goal. 

  15. CLOSE!published at 21:24 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Crusaders 3-2 Coleraine

    What a chance for Jordan Allen! Six yards out and the Coleraine man couldn't direct his header on target when he was completely unmarked, failing to put the finishing touch on some excellent play down the left by McCauley. It's difficult to see as good a chance falling to Coleraine in the remaining ten minutes. 

  16. Hope for the Portspublished at 21:23 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ards 3-2 Portadown

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  17. Head over heelspublished at 21:22 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Linfield 3-0 Glenavon

    Linfield's Paul Smyth celebrates his goal against GlenavonImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    Linfield's Paul Smyth celebrates his goal against Glenavon

  18. goal

    GOALpublished at 21:22 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ballinamallard United 1-4 Dungannon Swifts

    Defender Dougie Wilson heads in at the back post on 79 minutes to make it four for Dungannon.

  19. CLOSE!published at 21:21 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Ards 3-2 Portadown

    It's nearly all-square as Matthew Hazley beats Ards keeper Aaron Hogg but Michael Ruddy makes the goal-line clearance. Time is running out for the Ports - two more goals required or it's Championship football next season.

  20. Crues edging closerpublished at 21:20 British Summer Time 18 April 2017

    Crusaders 3-2 Coleraine

    The intensity has dropped in the last five minutes and that suits Crusaders, who are tip-toeing towards the finish line. Coleraine have asked a couple of major questions tonight, but they're looking a bit fatigued. 

    Crusaders are now trying to play keep ball, which is the right thing to do as they look to wind the clock down.