Linfield stretched their lead at the top of the Sports Direct Premiership to eight points on a weekend that also produced victories for Dungannon Swifts, Portadown and Glentoran.

Matthew Fitzpatrick scored twice for the Blues as they swept to a three-goal defeat of Coleraine at Windsor Park.

The 30-year-old opened the scoring on 29 minutes with a right-foot effort into the roof of the net after breaking clear to beat Rory Brown at the near post.

Linfield doubled their lead on 72 minutes after Joel Cooper was allowed the space to cut through the Bannsiders defence and guide the ball past Brown into the far corner.

Then, a couple of minutes from time, Fitzpatrick made sure with his second of the afternoon after Cameron Ballantyne flicked the ball into his path on the edge of the six yard box.

A late spot-kick helped Dungannon Swifts get the better of Ballymena United at The Showgrounds and move Rodney McAree's side into second place.

United created the early pressure with Stephen O'Donnell being inches away from meeting a Ben Kennedy set piece while another Kennedy free-kick was nodded wide by Aaron Jarvis not long after that.

Scoreless for most of the game despite both sides having chances, the deadlock was eventually broken five minutes from time.

Home substitute Joseph Moore was adjudged to have brought down Cahal McGinty just inside the area with Andrew Mitchell stepping up to send Sean O'Neill the wrong way from the resultant spot-kick.

Two goals at either end of the first half saw Portadown ultimately defeat Cliftonville at Shamrock Park.

Niall Currie's side moved in front as early as the fourth minute through Ryan Mayse after he showed great composure to take the ball past keeper David Odumosu and into the net after running onto a Josh Ukek through ball.

Cliftonville were reduced to ten men around the half-hour mark when Conor Pepper received his second caution in a matter of minutes from a challenge on Ben Wylie after being previously booked for a foul on Lee Chapman.

And it got worse for the Reds on 45 minutes after Jonny Addis became their second player to be sent-off after bringing down Eamon Fyfe … and then in first half stoppage time Ahu Obhakhan doubled the home lead with a flicked finish past Odumosu after Chapman had sent over a low cross from the right.

Carrick Rangers will rue two missed penalties as they had to settle for a point from Loughgall's visit to Taylors Avenue.

Rangers were presented with the ideal opportunity to move in front just before the hour when Daniel Gibson was brought down by Jamie Rea in the box with David Cushley stepping up only to see his spot-kick saved to his right by keeper Nathan Gartside.

Then, four minutes from time, Stephen Baxter's were awarded their second penalty of the game after Rea was adjudged to have handled the ball. Gibson assumed penalty duties on this occasion, but again Gartside made the save with Paul Heatley unable to keep the rebound on target.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, three substitutes helped Glentoran came from behind to defeat Crusaders at Seaview.

The deadlock was broken midway through the first half in favour of the Crues after Jarlath O'Rourke's corner was powered home by Jordan Forsythe's bullet header after leaving his marker behind.

Glentoran equalised on 73 minutes through substitute Jordan Jenkins - on for Jonathan Russell in the 53rd minute - who was on hand to knock home the loose ball after Aaron Wightman's delivery into the box was nodded away by Callacher.

Then, just four minutes after that, Charlie Lindsay, on the pitch just less than a quarter-of-an-hour, edged the visitors in front with a curling finish beyond Tuffey's reach from Wassim Aouachria's run and cross from the left.

And, seven minutes from the end, Wassim, a 64th minute replacement for Dylan Connolly, got on the target himself to make sure of the points for Declan Devine's with a finish from point blank range after Jenkins' initial attempt was palmed away by Tuffey.