There were weekends wins for Linfield, Glentoran, Ballymena United and Warrenpoint Town but it finished all square at Coleraine and Portadown.

Warrenpoint Town recorded perhaps the most significant result of the weekend as two Luke Wade-Slater goals helped Barry Gray's side defeat Carrick Rangers and thus end their long 12-match losing streak.

Wade-Slater bagged a goal in each half to earn Barry Gray's side the points and a first win since their victory over Ballymena United on the opening day of the season. He struck after half-an-hour and again three minutes from time.

It was a good day, too, for Linfield thanks to three first half goals which saw them sweep to victory over Glenavon in the evening game at Mourneview Park. Christy Manzinga kicked things off on 12 minutes, and doubled up on 29, before Ahmed Salam completed the scoring six minutes from the break.

Ballymena United also collected three points for their afternoon endeavours. Goals from Jude Winchester and Paul McElroy helped secure a 2-0 win over Crusaders at The Showgrounds, with McElroy's strike coming in stoppage time after Winchester had opened the scoring just before the hour.

It might have finished scoreless in the big game between Coleraine and Cliftonville but both sides had their chances with Eoin Bradley striking the woodwork and Jonny Addis being denied by a wonder save from Gareth Deane.

Portadown were denied a first home win of the campaign by a late Larne leveller at Shamrock Park. Adam Salley opened the scoring early on before Ronan Hale levelled from the spot. Salley struck again midway through the second half only for substitute David McDaid to pop up with Larne's second right at the end of normal time.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, goals from Jay Donnelly, Patrick McClean and Robbie McDaid saw Glentoran beat Dungannon Swifts 3-0 to move into second spot.