Despite a reduced programme it was still a significant afternoon at both ends of the Sports Direct Premiership.

Ballymena United and Dungannon Swifts recorded their first wins of the campaign, while Glentoran moved into second spot - just off the top on goal difference - with an evening defeat of Newry City.

Jim Ervin's Sky Blues went into their clash with Carrick Rangers at the Loughview Leisure Arena still looking for their first point and on the back of a disappointing midweek result.

But an Isaac Westendorf spot-kick midway through the first half - awarded after he had been fouled by Albert Watson - proved to be the difference between the sides despite Carrick's efforts in searching for the equaliser.

And it was an important afternoon for the Swifts also after they defeated Glenavon at Stangmore Park to leapfrog Gary Hamilton's side in the standings.

The Swifts moved in front with barely 11 seconds on the clock when Ben Gallagher fired below keeper Rory Brown from just outside the area.

Glenavon responded positively, however, to level just three minutes later through Jackson Nesbitt after nicking the ball off hesitant Swifts keeper Niall Morgan to roll it into an empty net.

But the home side moved back in front on 56 minutes courtesy of Thomas Maguire's finish from six yards, with Matthew Lusty making sure with a first time effort with ten minutes remaining.

Meanwhile Niall McGinn scored twice as Glentoran beat Newry City 4-2 at The Showgrounds.

McGinn opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a fine 12 yard finish past Tom Murphy after Daire O'Connor pulled the ball back into his path.

Newry levelled just after the half-hour mark through Ciaran O'Connor when a ball over the top caused problems in the Glentoran defence allowing him to fire low past Aaron McCarey.

McGinn restored Glentoran's advantage five minutes later, however, with a superb executed half volley from the edge of the area past Murphy at the near post.

But City hit back once more in first half stoppage time after Daniel Hughes directed the ball beyond McCarey after being teed up by Lorcan Forde.

The Glens moved in front once more ten minutes into the second half, with O'Connor getting his name on the scoresheet after McGinn turned provider to set him up to send the ball home from 12 yards out.

And the scoring was completed just after the hour when referee Shane Andrews spotted a handball into the area with Shay McCartan duly sending the subsequent spot-kick past Murphy.