Dankse Bank Premiership Round Up 26th March

Crusaders remain five points clear at the top of the Dankse Bank Premiership with six games remaining following a 2-0 home victory over Dungannon Swifts on Saturday afternoon.

Paul Heatley was once again the hero for the Crues with a second half brace, taking his tally for the season to twenty-two, with five of those coming in the last three games. Dungannon remain in 7^th place but have now played a game more than nearest rivals Ballymena United, whose game with Cliftonville was postponed due to The Reds having three players away on international duty.

On Thursday evening nearest challengers Linfield had temporally reduced the gap to two points following their 2-1 home win over Ballinamallard United at the National Stadium. The Blues had taken the lead through Andrew Waterworth but the Mallards equalised through Adam Lecky only for Linfield to regain the lead almost immediately through a Ryan Morris own goal.

Elsewhere on Saturday struggling Portadown moved closer to the relegation places following a 3-1 home defeat to bottom side Warrenpoint Town, who in turn boosted their own chances of avoiding the drop. Marcio Soares had given the Ports the lead in the 14^th minute, but Point hit back with a strike from Conor McDonald and a brace from Stephen Murray. The win moves Warrenpoint to within five points of the Ports who are in 9^th place.

Carrick Rangers failed to follow up their shock midweek win over Crusaders, falling 2-1 at home to mid table Glentoran. Curtis Allen gave the Glens lead in the 10^th minute only for James Wright to equalise for Carrick four minutes later. However Allen restored Glentoran’s lead just two minutes later which ended the afternoons scoring. Carrick remain in 10^th place just above the relegation spots.

The final game on Saturday saw inform Glenavon defeat Coleraine 1-0 at the Coleraine Showgrounds. Kevin Braniff headed home on the hour mark to keep the Lurgan Blues in third place.