The Danske Bank Premiership moved into a busy December period with significant victories for Cliftonville, Linfield, Larne, Glentoran, Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts all adding another twist in the race for the Gibson Cup.

The big game of the day saw Linfield travel to Coleraine to emerge 2-1 victors. Rodney Brown had edged the Bannsiders in front midway through the first half but goals a few minutes either side of the break from Christy Manzinga and Stephen Fallon saw the Blues claim the points to keep the pressure on leaders Cliftonville.

The Reds produced a much better second half performance after a poor opening 45 minutes to get the better of Ballymena United at Solitude with Ryan Curran getting the only goal of the game with less than a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

Glentoran, in third, came from a goal down to defeat Portadown at The Oval. Michael Ruddy fired the Ports in front as early as the sixth minute but a Jay Donnelly double and a Conor McMenamin finish late on helped Mick McDermott's side to the points.

Three second half goals guided Larne to victory over bottom club Warrenpoint Town at Inver Park. Albert Watson opened the scoring on 48 minutes, followed soon after by David McDaid and then Ronan Hale midway through.

And it was a good afternoon for Dungannon Swifts as they travelled to Carrick Rangers to claim the points courtesy of goals from Cahal McGinty and Darragh McBrien.

Meanwhile, at Mourneview Park, Matthew Fitzpatrick knocked home the only goal of the game with five minutes left on the clock as Glenavon defeated Crusaders.