Ten-man Larne lose as Glens win to narrow gap at top

Irish Premiership leaders Larne's hopes of a third title in four years were dented as they were thumped 4-1 by Coleraine at Inver Park. Two goals from Matthew Shevlin, a header from Ben Wylie and a penalty from Will Patching helped the Bannsiders to the emphatic win after Dan Bent was sent off for Larne in the first half. Glentoran took full advantage of Larne's slip-up as they narrowed the gap to three points at the top with a nervy 2-1 win over Cliftonville at Solitude.

In the race to avoid the drop, Lloyd Anderson scored a 94th minute equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw for bottom side Crusaders against Bangor at Seaview as Glenavon drew 1-1 with Ballymena United at the Showgrounds. Linfield came from behind to beat Dungannon Swifts 3-1 at Stangmore Park while Portadown and Carrick Rangers played out a 1-1 draw at Shamrock Park. Clinical Bannsiders see off Larne The visitors raced into the lead inside the opening two minutes thanks to Shevlin's 15th league goal of the season.

Midfielder Mark Coyle spotted the run of the striker and played the ball in behind a hesitant Larne defence and Shevlin raced clear of Matthew Ridley before rounding Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson and firing into an unguarded net. Shevlin passed up a great chance to double his and his side's advantage moments later but Rohan Ferguson produced a smart save to deny him while, at the other end, Ryan Schofield brilliantly saved from Andy Ryan after being set up by Sean Graham. Both goalkeepers continued to impress – Ferguson blocking Zane Okoro's low shot with an outstretched foot while Schofield got his body behind an ambitious volley from Ronan Doherty.

Larne's frustrations were compounded when they were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Bent following a challenge on Shevlin in the 35th minute. But they regrouped and drew level on the stroke of half-time when top goal scorer Ryan slotted home his sixth penalty of the season after Dylan Boyle handled inside the penalty area. Ferguson came to the home side's rescue shortly after the restart when he touched Shevlin's goalbound header onto the post.