The morning top two both suffered Lough 41 Championship defeats while there were festive victories for Dundela and Institute, plus a share of the spoils at Clandeboye Park.

Leaders Newry City fell to a rare defeat when they went down 1-0 at home to Ballyclare Comrades. Ciaran Heggarty scored the only goal of the game for the Comrades at a foggy Showgrounds midway through the first half to record a first win in over two months for the visitors and a first loss in a similar period for Darren Mullen's side.

Ballinamallard United, who started the day in second place, lost 2-0 away to Dergview. Benny Igiehon bagged both goals in the first half for Dergview, who now close the gap on the top six to just three points.

The big East Belfast derby saw Dundela defeat HW Welders 2-1 at the Blanchflower Stadium. Scoreless at the break, the Duns hit two quick fire goals through Kyle Owens and Guillaume Keke with less than a quarter-of-an-hour remaining and although Alan McMurtry grabbed a late consolation for the Welders it wasn't enough to spark a comeback.

That win kept Dundela ahead of Institute after 'Stute got the better of bottom of the table Queen's University at The Dub, with Jamie Dunne knocking home the only goal of the game.

Meanwhile, at Clandeboye Park, substitute Carter Wilson scored Knockbreda's late equaliser after they came from behind to cancel out Calvin McCurry's early opener for Ards.