Glentoran closed the gap on Danske Bank Premiership leaders Linfield to just one point as the thrilling title race took another twist last night.
infield twice fought back from a goal down to earn a 2-2 draw at Cliftonville but their Big Two rivals have turned up the heat with another huge result as a late winner from Conor McMenamin secured a 2-1 home win over Coleraine.
A Jamie McDonagh brace gave the champions a headache but goals from Matthew Clarke and substitute Ethan Devine saw David Healy’s side salvage a point in north Belfast.
Cliftonville remain third in the table, four points behind the Glens. At the BetMcLean Oval, Michael O’Connor put the Glens in front and Stephen O’Donnell thought he had earned his side a point until McMenamin stabbed in a late winner.
Coleraine boss Oran Kearney said: “Nobody likes to concede in the last minute. They are brilliant when you get them but they are not nice when they go against you and it is frustrating from that point of view. It’s a silly free-kick that we gave away. We didn’t win the first ball or the second and, all of a sudden, you are away down the road with nothing.”
Paul Doolin’s first game as Portadown’s interim manager ended in defeat as Ben Kennedy’s late goal handed Crusaders a 1-0 victory.
Larne returned to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 win at Warrenpoint Town, with new big-money signing Lee Bonis among the scorers.
Inver Park chief Tiernan Lynch said: “We were coming off the back of two poor results so it was important we got the win and got back on the horse again, as they say.”
Carrick Rangers defeated Ballymena United 3-0, while at Mourneview Park, Glenavon secured a 3-1 victory over Dungannon Swifts.