Danske Bank Premiership Round-Up: Crusaders and Larne play out a thriller at Seaview as Linfield coast past Warrenpoint
Credit: Clare McCahill (ETPhotos)
Ben Kennedy’s late equaliser from the penalty spot secured a valuable point for Crusaders this evening as they played out a pulsating 3-3 draw against Larne.
Two games fell foul of some extreme weather conditions in the Northern Irish top-flight this afternoon, while Linfield eased past Warrenpoint by six goals to nil.
Meanwhile, Coleraine swatted aside the challenge of Dungannon Swifts thanks to a 2-0 win at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
In the day’s early game, Larne were left pondering what may have been as they were pegged back at the death by a late Kennedy spot-kick for Crusaders.
The Invermen could not have wished for a better start at Seaview, as former Crues forward Ronan Hale scored twice in the opening half-hour.
However, just six minutes before the break, Crusaders halved their deficit as Jamie McGonigle netted.
And in the 73rd minute, the game was level for the first time as Chris Hegarty fired home. Just six minutes later, Larne retook the lead through Jonathan Murray.
But in the 89th minute, Kennedy was on hand to score a late, late equaliser for the hosts as Larne suffered a dent to their title hopes.
And it was Linfield who were on hand to profit from Larne’s late heartache at Seaview as the Blues eased to a 6-0 win over Warrenpoint Town.
Six second-half goals from David Healy’s side blew away the Point who saw Adam Evans make his first start for the club after joining from Longford Town.
Andrew Waterworth scored four – with three coming in the final ten minutes – as Jordan Stewart and David Nasseri also got on the scoresheet for Linfield.
Linfield have now moved four points clear at the top of the table, although they have played a game more than Larne who are in second.
Elsewhere, Coleraine won 2-0 at home to Dungannon Swifts. Eoin Bradley and Aaron Jarvis both netted for the hosts who moved to within a point of fourth placed Ballymena United.
Results
Crusaders 3 - 3 Larne
Coleraine 2 - 0 Dungannon Swifts
Linfield 6 - 0 Warrenpoint Town
Glenavon P - P Glentoran
Ballymena United P - P Cliftonville
Carrick Rangers P - P Portadown
