© Jonathan Porter/INPHO
Levi Ives and Jimmy Callacher greet each other ahead of the clash at Solitude
The first round of post-split Danske Bank Premiership fixtures didn't disappoint on another weekend of intriguing action at grounds up and down the country.
The battle between the top two, Cliftonville and Linfield, at Solitude might not have produced any goals but both sides had their moments in a tense, fiercely fought affair.
The draw leaves the Blues a point clear of the Reds at the top with four games remaining but both have opened up a gap on third placed Glentoran who saw their title hopes suffer a huge blow with a four-goal reversal at home to Crusaders.
The Crues got off to the perfect start when, as early as the ninth minute, Declan Caddell opened the scoring with a glancing header into the bottom corner before Philip Lowry added a second midway through the first half.
Number three arrived just before the hour when Daniel Larmour's header was let slip through his legs by keeper Aaron McCarey, with Paul Heatley completing the rout four minutes from time.
On Friday night, in the other Section A game, Lee Bonis hit a brace as Larne swept to a three-goal victory over Coleraine at Inver Park.
Glenavon came out on top against Ballymena United at Mourneview Park in the battle for seventh spot and a potential European play-off place. Kym Nelson had fired the Sky Blues in front on 25 minutes, but Calum Birney levelled just before the break.
Gary Hamilton's side were reduced to ten men early in the second half following Danny Wallace's dismissal but two Peter Campbell goals in as many minutes with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining saw Glenavon claim the points.
Warrenpoint Town kept their survival hopes alive with a one-goal win over Portadown at Shamrock Park. Kealan Dillon bagged the only goal of the game - a 35th minute penalty - as Barry Gray's reduced the gap on the Ports to nine points.
Meanwhile, a David Cushley strike on 13 minutes proved to be the difference between Carrick Rangers and Dungannon Swifts at the Loughview Leisure Arena, a win which moves Stuart King's men above the Swifts into ninth.
