It was a good night to be on the road as Glenavon, Coleraine and Glentoran ended the calendar year with victories away from home.

Glentoran brought 2024 to a close by moving into second spot in the standings with a two-goal defeat of Portadown at Shamrock Park.

Jordan Jenkins bagged both goals for the visitors, opening the scoring on 24 minutes after running onto a long Fuad Sule ball out of defence to beat Jamie Ray with a powerfully struck half volley.

Jenkins then doubled up midway through the second half after converting from the spot following a Lewis MacKinnon challenge on David Fisher.

Coleraine came from behind at the break to defeat Loughgall at Lakeview Park.

The deadlock was finally broken after half-an-hour when the Villagers moved in front after Conor McCloskey's free-kick curled past Rory Brown from the edge of the area.

Matthew Shevlin equalised on 52 minutes after stroking the ball into the net when Dylan Boyle's initial effort had been blocked.

Then, not long after that, Shevlin missed the opportunity to edge Coleraine in front when he saw a spot-kick saved by Gartside while Spence couldn't tuck away the rebound.

However, Dean Shiels' side did seize the advantage on 66 minutes after Ciaron Harkin crossed to the near post for Jamie Glackin to head home.

And they added a third three minutes from time when substitute Rhyss Campbell came off the bench to volley home with an angled finish.

Glenavon continued their recent good form with a two-goal defeat of Ballymena United at The Showgrounds.

The visitors moved in front ten minutes after the break through Peter Campbell after Stephen O'Donnell failed to cut out Len O'Sullivan's through ball with Michael O'Connor knocking it on for Campbell to find the net via a deflection off the home keeper.

Glenavon added to their lead midway through the second half.

Awarded a penalty following a foul on O'Connor, David McDaid saw his effort saved by O'Neill with the ball falling for O'Connor to knock back into the path of McDaid to nod home.

United then ended the game with nine men after Sean Brown and Kym Nelson were dismissed in separate incidents.

Meanwhile, at Taylors Avenue, it ended scoreless between Carrick Rangers and Crusaders.

A first half of few opportunities, the stand out effort of note arrived just after the half-hour mark when Seanan Clucas sent the ball over from the right for Emmet McGuckin to nod just wide.

The Crues could have edged in front early in the second half but Jarlath O'Rourke blasted well wide from the edge of the box after receiving a short corner from Ross Clarke.

But Carrick had perhaps the best chances of the evening when Paul Heatley miscued in front of goal with the ball then only being partially cleared to Seanan Clucas on the edge of the area which took a deflection wide after appearing to be on target.

The games between Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts, and Larne’s visit to Linfield were called off as a mark of respect following the sad passing of Cliftonville player Michael Newberry.