Coleraine fight back as Crusaders maintain one-point lead - Danske Bank Premiership Round-up (January 20 2017)

Five of the six Danske Bank Premiership games went ahead this weekend in spite of adverse weather conditions, with only Glentoran’s visit to Carrick Rangers falling foul to the freezing temperatures.

Undoubtedly the main talking point was the top of the table clash between Coleraine and Crusaders, as a spirited Coleraine comeback saw them share the spoils with ten-man Crues.

Just before the break, Stephen Barker’s men landed a massive blow on their title rivals the in-form Gavin Whyte netting twice on the brink of half time.

Whatever Oran Kearney said at half time must have been good as his men got one back through Jamie McGonigle just after the restart.

Paul Heatley seemed to have put the game to bed for Crusaders as he raced clear and finished into the bottom right hand corner to make it 3-1.

Crusaders were dealt a hammer blow when captain Colin Coates was dismissed for a second yellow following two altercations with Eoin Bradley.

The Bannsiders would take full advantage. First, a wonder strike from Jamie McGonigle breathed life into his side before Darren McCauley headed home to make it 3-3, ensuring just one point continues to separate the top two.

Warrenpoint Town inflicted further pain on strugglers Ballinamallard United as Conor McMenamin’s 40^th-minute strike gave the Down side all three points.

Ards picked up their seventh win of the season, beating Ballymena United by the narrowest of margins courtesy of a first half strike from Reece Glendinning.

Cliftonville moved into fourth spot with a spectacular second half at home to Dungannon Swifts. It took the Reds 67 minutes to break the deadlock with Ross Lavery, Jay Donnelly and an OG from Chris Hegarty securing a 3-0 win.

Linfield fell to their eighth loss of the season as they lost 3-2 at home to Glenavon.

It only took the home side two minutes to take the lead through Kurtis Byrne before Simon Kelly equalised in the seventh minute in a topsy-turvy start.

Andrew Mitchell and Marc Griffin would put the Mourneview men 3-1 up before Andrew Waterworth netted a consolation goal deep into injury time.

Danske Bank Premiership Results – Saturday, February 20th

Coleraine 3 – 3 Crusaders

Linfield 2 – 3 Glenavon

Cliftonville 3 – 0 Dungannon Swifts

Ards 1 – 0 Ballymena United

Warrenpoint Town 1 – 0 Ballinamallard United

Carrick Rangers P – P Glentoran