It was another weekend of twists and turns in what has been an enthralling and intriguing Danske Bank Premiership campaign.

Linfield remain in pole position following a 1-1 draw with Glentoran in the Big Two derby at Windsor Park on Friday night. It was a potentially pivotal game in the race for the title but, in the end, it was a result neither camp really wanted.

Both goals came in the latter part of the first half with Jordan Stewart firing the Blues in front just after the half-hour mark before Conor McMenamin levelled just six minutes later.

That left the stage clear for Cliftonville to go back to the top with victory over Larne on Saturday afternoon at Solitude but the Reds were frustrated in what turned out to be a scoreless draw.

Crusaders closed the gap on third placed Glentoran with a thumping 4-1 win away to Coleraine. Stephen Baxter's side moved in front through Adam Lecky on 17 minutes before goals from Paul Heatley and David Larmour before the break, and Jude Winchester early in the second half put the visitors into a commanding position. Josh Carson popped up with a stoppage time consolation for the Bannsiders as their poor run continued.

Glenavon remain slightly ahead in the battle for a possible European play-off spot despite going down by the odd goal in five away to Dungannon Swifts.

James Convie opened the scoring for the Swifts after just 12 seconds, with James Knowles adding another from the spot with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock. Glenavon hit back with two goals in three minutes midway through the first half but it fell to the unfortunate Matthew Snoddy to turn the ball into his own goal with seven minutes remaining to tip the balance in favour of Dean Shiels' side.

Ballymena United closed the gap on Glenavon after coming from behind to defeat Portadown at The Showgrounds. Billy Stedman edged the Ports in front towards the end of the first half but a Paul McElroy penalty and Steven McCullough free-kick after the break saw the Sky Blues win through in the end.

Meanwhile, two Alexander Gawne goals were enough to earn Carrick Rangers the victory away to Warrenpoint Town after Luke Wade Slater had fired Barry Gray's relegation haunted 'Point in front just before half-time.