Linfield hold a 13-point lead at the top of the Sports Direct Premiership following a narrow defeat of Glenavon, while Portadown, Ballymena United and Glentoran also secured victories on the last Saturday before Christmas.

The Blues needed just one goal to edge out Glenavon at Windsor Park, with Chris McKee bagging the decisive strike after just 11 minutes with a header past keeper Mark Byrne after connecting with Ethan McGee’s delivery from the left.

Portadown, now in second spot, also knocked home just the one goal as they got the better of Crusaders at Shamrock Park.

The winner for Niall Currie’s side arrived just before the hour through Steven McCullough’s low driven effort into the back of the net from the edge of the area.

Glentoran came from behind to defeat Cliftonville by the odd goal in three at Solitude.

Joe Gormley had fired the Reds in front around the half-hour mark with a header from a Taylor Steven cross, but the Glens hit back in first half stoppage time courtesy of keeper Daniel Gyollai who knocked forward a free-kick from inside his own area the full length of the pitch and over opposite number David Odumosu!

The visitors then secured the points with just over ten minutes remaining when Odumosu let a Daniel Amos free-kick slip from this grasp and over the line.

At Lakeview Park Ballymena United came from behind to defeat Loughgall but ended the game with nine men!

Adam Towe had fired the Villagers in front on 14 minutes with a deflected finish past Sean O’Neill but the visitors levelled moments later after Andy Scott lifted the ball over Nathan Gartside.

Calvin McCurry nudged United in front in first half stoppage time with the rebound from Ben Kennedy’s point-blank header from Josh Carson’s corner.

Kennedy then added a third on 53 minutes with a cool finish through Gartside’s legs but Jim Ervin’s side were reduced to ten men soon after Carson was issued with his second caution of the game.

Loughgall reduced the deficit on 62 minutes after Daithi McCallion sliced the ball into his own net whilst attempting a clearance.

However despite peppering the visiting defence the home side couldn’t find a way of securing the equaliser, even after Kennedy became the second Ballymena player to take an early bath with eight minutes left after he also received his second booking of the afternoon!