A long weekend of Danske Bank Premiership action produced victories for Larne, Crusaders, Carrick Rangers and Linfield … and then Cliftonville on Sunday!

Larne maintained their lead at the top after coming from behind to defeat Dungannon Swifts at Inver Park on Friday night.

The Swifts moved in front just before the break after Ryan Mayse had spotted keeper Jack McIntyre off his line and sent an ambitious 40-yard drive into the net.

However Paul O’Neill hit back for Tiernan Lynch’s side early in the second half before bagging the winner with eight minutes remaining with a close range finish from Ben Doherty’s cross.

Linfield were also in action on Friday as they swept to a two-goal win away to Ballymena United.

Chris McKee opened the scoring midway through the first half after Jimmy Callacher had nodded the ball into his path … before Callacher himself bagged the second not long after the interval after touching home Kirk Millar’s corner from the edge of the six yard box.

Moving onto Saturday, Philip Lowry helped himself to another two goals as Crusaders eased to a 4-0 win over Newry City at Seaview.

Paul Heatley, on his return to action, kicked the scoring off after seven minutes with a deflected effort into the bottom corner. Lowry opened his account just before the break with a header from Billy Joe Burn’s cross – with Burns himself adding a third just after the hour from Jarlath O’Rourke’s looping ball.

Lowry then wrapped things up with around a quarter-of-an-hour to go.

Two second half goals saw Carrick Rangers defeat bottom of the table Portadown at the Loughview Leisure Arena.

Both came from Andy Mitchell corners, the first on the hour when Lloyd Anderson struck from close range while Cameron Stewart hit the second at the back post in the final few minutes.

Meanwhile, Glenavon and Coleraine battled to a scoreless draw at Mourneview Park. Both sides had their chances but a combination of goalline clearances and disappointing finishing failed to produce any goals.

The action concluded on Sunday when Glentoran welcomed Cliftonville to the BetMcLean Oval in front of the Sky Sports cameras with Ryan Curran scoring the only goal of the game after eight minutes to move the Reds into second spot.