There are just five points between the top five in the Danske Bank Premiership following this weekend’s games.

Larne still lead the way but their advantage at the top was cut to just two points after they lost at home to Coleraine on Friday evening.

Matthew Shevlin opened the scoring for the Bannsiders as early as the fourth minute when he nodded home a Conor McKendry pass, with McKendry himself doubling up in first half stoppage time at the near post.

Cliftonville, in second, hit two goals without reply past Newry City at Solitude. Ryan Curran kicked the scoring off midway through the first half with a tap in from Joe Gormley’s well timed pass.

That was how it stayed until three minutes from the time when Gormley – on his birthday – made sure after being played through by Sean Moore.

Glentoran picked up their first win in four outings courtesy of a goal at the end of each half against Portadown at Shamrock Park.

Sean Murray broke the deadlock in first half stoppage time with a free-kick from distance, with Bobby Burns doubling the visitors’ lead on 85 minutes.

Ballymena United also recorded a two-goal win as they defeated Carrick Rangers at the Loughview Leisure Arena.

Both goals came late in the game. Douglas Wilson broke the deadlock with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining with substitute Sean Graham – only on the pitch a matter of seconds – hitting the second late on.

Meanwhile, at Stangmore Park, Rhyss Campbell scored the only goal of the game as Dungannon Swifts picked up a crucial three points with victory over Glenavon.

Linfield and Crusaders wrapped the weekend action up with a scoreless draw in the evening kick-off at Windsor Park.