The last round of games before Christmas produced Playr-Fit Championship victories for Bangor, Dundela, Institute and Ards.

Leaders Bangor extended their advantage at the top to nine points but they needed a stoppage time goal to get past Ballinamallard United at Clandeboye Park.

The Seasiders moved in front after ten minutes after Reece Neale’s laid a short corner into the path of Robert Garrett to fire into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Ballinamallard levelled midway through the first half, however, when Aaron Harkin’s corner ended up in the net via keeper Evan Ovendale, but Bangor regained the lead before the break after Martin Bradley rose highest to head home a Neale free-kick.

The Mallards hit back again on 72 minutes through Darragh Stewart to set up a big finish, with the home side grabbing the honours in added time when yet another Neale set piece bobbled in the area before Kyle Owens knocked it into the bottom right.

Second placed Limavady United were held to a scoreless draw at home to HW Welders.

John Butcher could have won it for the Roesiders right at the end but was thwarted by a great stop from Jack Mills.

The Welders ended the game with ten men following Ronan Wilson’s dismissal for a challenge on Butcher, but the visitors also enjoyed the better chances particularly through Tiarnan O’Connor early on and again twice in the second half.

Dundela scored twice in three second half minutes to come from behind to defeat Ballyclare Comrades at Wilgar Park.

Michael Morgan fired the Comrades in front after five minutes with a finish under Aaron Hogg into the far corner after receiving the ball from Lee McGreevy.

That was how it stayed until midway through the second half when Michael McLellan levelled with a tap in after the ball was crossed to the six yard box.

Then, three minutes after that, another delivery wasn’t picked up on allowing Charlie Dornan space to head home the winner.

Ards needed just one goal to get past Annagh United at the BMG Arena.

What proved to be the winner arrived after half-an-hour following a cross from the right which Conor Scannell did well to control and fire past onrushing keeper Jason Craughwell.

Meanwhile, at The Showgrounds, Mikhail Kennedy scored twice as Institute defeated Newry City.

Scoreless at the break, Kennedy edged the visitors in front when he got his head to a Stephen Doherty free-kick to direct it past Conor Mitchell.

Then, with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, Kennedy stepped up to convert from the spot after Ryan McGivern had conceded the foul and picked up his second caution of the game as a result.

Newington and Armagh City had kicked the weekend off with a scoreless draw at Inver Park on Friday evening.