Newry City stand on the verge of promotion back to the top flight but, at the other end of the table, Knockbreda and Queen's University are jostling to avoid the automatic drop.

Darren Mullen's City are six points clear at the top with two games remaining and a vastly superior goal difference following a 3-0 win away to HW Welders thanks to first half goals from John McGovern and Philip Donnelly before Darren King added another after the break.

Newry's only challengers, Annagh United, were restricted to just a point with a scoreless draw away to Dergview. That leaves them four ahead of third placed Loughgall who got past Ballinamallard United by the odd goal in three at Ferney Park.

Andrew Hoey fired the Villagers in front after half-an-hour, but Patrick Ferry levelled for the Mallards soon after. However Nathaniel Ferris bagged the winner with just four minutes remaining.

Institute made it five wins on the bounce thanks to a Jamie Dunne strike midway through the second half away to Ards while Ballyclare Comrades and Knockbreda shared six goals at Dixon Park.

The sides traded goals early on with Adam McCart opening the scoring after a quarter-of-an-hour had elapsed before Ciaran Heggarty equalised a couple of minutes later.

Jason Johnston and Liam Hassin struck early in the second half to give Ballyclare the edge but goals from Karl Hamill and Lee McGreevy saw 'Breda pick up a potentially crucial point in their battle with Queen's University to avoid the drop.

The Students returned to bottom of the table following a 2-1 defeat at home to Dundela. Chris Middleton fired them in front early on from the spot, but the Duns responded well through goals from David Fearon and Kyle Owens.