Crusaders moved level on points at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership with a crushing three-goal defeat of Ballymena United on a Friday night that also produced victories for Coleraine, Larne and Dungannon Swifts.

Stephen Baxter’s side cruised past a visiting Sky Blues side that fell to a fifth consecutive league defeat.

Dominant throughout, two goals either side of the half-hour mark from Philip Lowry and Jarlath O’Rourke fired the Crues into a commanding lead. They had numerous opportunities to extend their advantage as the game progressed but needed to wait until the 83rd minute for a third goal after Jordan Forsythe nodded home Ross Clarke’s corner from six yards.

Coleraine moved into third spot on goal difference thanks to a quick fire second half double in the streamed game at home to Newry City.

Scoreless at the break, Lee Lynch edged the Bannsiders in front on 54 minutes with a quality left-foot finish over keeper Steven Maguire before, three minutes after that, Dean Jarvis doubled up at the back post with a stabbed finish from Jamie Glackin’s cross.

Larne needed just one goal to claim the points from their short visit down the coast to face Carrick Rangers. Shea Gordon grabbed what proved to be the only goal of the game on 79 minutes with a strong left-foot strike into the bottom right corner.

And it was a big night for Dungannon Swifts after a goal at the start of each half saw them clock up their first win of the season at the expense of still pointless Portadown at Stangmore Park.

The Swifts took just 21 seconds to open the scoring after Rhyss Campbell swivelled in the box to direct the ball past Jethren Barr. Then, a couple of minutes into the second half, Ryan Mayse made it 2-0 from the spot after Michael Ruddy had been bundled over in the box.