Just three points separate the top four in the Danske Bank Premiership as the New Year fixtures produced an intriguing set of results.

Cliftonville grabbed the headlines with a 2-1 defeat of Larne at Solitude, a win that moves the Reds level on points at the summit with Tiernan Lynch’s side.

Lee Bonis opened the scoring for Larne on 50 minutes after connecting with a Tomas Cosgrove pass to beat Nathan Gartside at the near post.

It proved to be a short lived lead, however, when Sean Moore levelled for the Reds less than ten minutes later via a deflection before Rory Hale claimed the points with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

It proved to be a good day for the other half of north Belfast as Crusaders swept to a three-goal victory over Carrick Rangers at the Loughview Leisure Arena.

Paul Heatley kicked the scoring off as early as the 10th minute after beating Ross Glendinning one-on-one. Jordan Forsythe then added a second late in the first half before doubling his tally not long after the break with a close range finish.

Linfield and Coleraine played out a scoreless draw at Windsor Park, with Eetu Vertainen perhaps coming closest in the closing stages with an effort from inside the box that produced a superb stop from Bannsiders keeper Martin Gallagher.

Ballymena United hit two goals without reply past Glentoran at The Showgrounds.

Sean Graham edged the Sky Blues in front midway through the first half with a drilled finish under Aaron McCarey from an acute angle. That was how it stayed until Ryan Waide confirmed United’s victory six minutes from time after coming into the left side of the area.

Meanwhile, the bottom two of Portadown and Dungannon Swifts locked horns at Shamrock Park but failed to find the net. Ben Cushnie came closest to breaking the deadlock midway through the second half with a header off an upright.