It was a potentially huge night in both the Danske Bank Premiership and Lough 41 Championship title races although, in the end, little changed as the intrigue goes on.

In the top flight, much focus was centred on the battle between leaders Larne and champions Linfield at Inver Park. Tiernan Lynch’s side went into the game with a healthy lead while the Blues knew they needed to avoid defeat to keep the pressure on.

In the end it finished scoreless with the home side perhaps feeling they had done enough to secure the points, particularly in the dying moments when Linfield keeper Chris Johns produced a stunning stop to deny a Thomas Maguire effort from outside the area.

Coleraine limbered up for Sunday’s BetMcLean Cup final with a comfortable 3-1 derby defeat of Ballymena United on the Ballycastle Road.

The Bannsiders moved in front after half-an-hour through Jamie Glackin’s left-foot curling finish although the visitors did level soon after skipper Josh Kelly sent a half volley past Gareth Deane.

Conor McKendry restored home advantage just before the break, with Josh Carson completing the scoring nine minutes after the interval from close range.

Glentoran returned to winning ways with a thumping 5-1 victory over Carrick Rangers at the Loughview Leisure Arena.

Two early Rhys Marshall goals put Rodney McAree’s charges firmly in control, with James Singleton adding a third not long after the interval.

Lloyd Anderson did pull one back on the hour, but a couple of stoppage time finishes from Danny Purkis and Bobby Burns saw the Glens run out comfortable winners.

Championship leaders Loughgall thought they had done enough to secure all three points from their visit to take on Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park.

Darius Roohi had given the Comrades an early advantage but Ben Murdock levelled for the Villagers just after the half-hour mark. Aaron Duke then edged the visitors in front early in the second half only for Bobby Higgins to pop up deep into stoppage time to ensure it ended honours even.

And another late strike at Ferney Park saw Ballinamallard United get the better of HW Welders by the odd goal in three.

Aaron Arkinson opened the scoring for the Mallards midway through the first half, a lead they held until the 71st minute when Michael McLellan hit the Welders equaliser.

Then, a couple of minutes into added time, Josh McIlwaine nodded home what proved to be the winner for Harry McConkey’s men.