It was a night that largely went to form with five of the top six all picking up a relatively routine three points each with only Larne suffering frustration away to Dungannon Swifts.

Leaders Linfield remain five points clear at the top after they edged to victory over Carrick Rangers by the odd goal in three at the Loughview Leisure Arena.

Scoreless at the break, Kurtis Forsythe unfortunately turned the ball into his own net to break the deadlock just after the hour whilst attempting to deal with a Kirk Millar cross.

Kyle McClean added a second ten minutes after that with a low finish past Ross Glendinning, although Rangers were thrown a lifeline late in the game when Emmett McGuckin planted a firm header past Chris Johns.

Cliftonville stay second after a one-goal victory over Glenavon at Mourneview Park.

Rory Hale bagged the winner early in the second half with a composed finish past Rory Brown after being released by Shea Kearney … but it could have been much more convincing for the Reds after Jim Magilton’s side hit the woodwork on no fewer than four occasions!

Crusaders also needed just one goal to get the better of bottom of the table Ballymena United at Seaview.

Adam Lecky hit what proved to be the winner on the stroke of half-time from close range after Jarlath O’Rourke had played the ball back into his path.

Larne did everything but score as they were held to a scoreless draw away to a Dungannon Swifts side that played out the last half-an-hour or so with ten men following Ethan McGee’s dismissal for a second booking.

Tiernan Lynch’s side struck the woodwork and had a goal disallowed on what turned out to be a frustrating evening for the defending champions.

But there were no such problems for Glentoran as they hit Loughgall for six at the BetMcLean Oval.

Jay Donnelly scored both at the beginning and end of the first half, either side of goals from Junior Uzokwe and Daire O’Connor while David Fisher and Patrick McClean added to the tally midway through the second period.

Meanwhile, Coleraine travelled to Newry City and left with the points after a Conor McKendry double handed them at the advantage over the home side who had to play most of the game a man down after Stephen Moan’s early dismissal for a challenge on Andy Scott.