It was a day of closely fought games that produced what could prove to be hugely significant results at the top and bottom of the table.

Pick of the bunch was the evening kick-off at Windsor Park as leaders Linfield played host to champions Larne.

The Blues held an eight point lead going into the game, and when Joel Cooper superbly fired them in front after a quarter-of-an-hour one could be forgiven for thinking they’d convert that lead into double figures.

However Larne responded positively, levelling with a stunning Mark Randall effort nine minutes later before Joe Thomson turned home what proved to be the winner ten minutes after the break.

Cliftonville remain third after a narrow defeat of Newry City at Solitude.

Ronan Hale bagged the only goal of the game midway through the first half after his brother, Rory, played him through to cut through the defence and fire past Tom Murphy into the left corner.

Paul Heatley hit a stoppage time winner as Crusaders defeated Loughgall at Lakeview Park by the odd goal in three.

The deadlock was broken on 62 minutes when Ross Clarke touched home the loose ball after Philip Lowry’s initial strike had been blocked.

Pablo Andrade equalised for the Villagers with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining with a deflected finish past Jonny Tuffey but, just as it looked like the game would end all square, Heatley popped up in the 93rd minute to take the ball around Berraat Turker and into the unguarded net.

Carrick Rangers hit three goals in 15 second half minutes to defeat Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.

Dean Curry had handed the Swifts the lead early on after heading home a Kealan Dillon free-kick, but Carrick levelled not long after the interval courtesy of a Curtis Allen spot-kick.

Nedas Maciulaitis edged the visitors in front on the hour before knocking home his second of the afternoon six minutes later. Caolan Marron did reduce the deficit with eight minutes to go but it wasn’t enough to deny Stuart King’s side the points.

Meanwhile, at a fog bound Showgrounds, Conor McCloskey hit the only goal of the game as Glenavon defeated Ballymena United.

The former Sky Blue hit the winner eight minutes from the break with a back post header from Peter Campbell’s left-wing cross.