Linfield extend their lead at top of the table in a day of high drama and excitement in Sports Direct Premiership.

David Healy had half-time substitute Chris McKee to thank as the striker scored two goals with his first two touches at Windsor Park to secure a vital 2-1 win for Linfield against in form Portadown.

Paul McElroy scored a late consolation for the Ports that set up a grandstand finish, but that victory extends the Blues’ lead at the top of the table to eight points on Saturday evening ahead of second place Cliftonville playing on Sunday.

Dungannon Swifts missed the opportunity to go second in the place after being pegged back at Seaview, despite an impressive first half showing. Tomas Galvin had opened the scoring for the travelling Swifts and the lead had been doubled by Dean Curry within another eight minutes.

Crusaders rallied after the break and hit their visitors with their own two goal salvo; Jordan Forsythe pulling the first back from the penalty spot on 56 minutes and Kieran Offord finding the equaliser four minutes later as the points were shared.

There also a shock on the cards at Lakeview Park, which also ended up in a draw. Despite an early goal from Dylan Connolly of Glentoran, it was bottom placed Loughgall who quickly fought back to force their way into a surprise lead at the break thanks to goals from Lewis Francis and Nathaniel Ferris.

Declan Devine’s Glentoran showed their resilience to equalise through Charlie Lindsay in the second half but the point may prove more valuable to Dean Smith in Loughgall’s attempts to stave off the threat of relegation.

At Mourneview Park, Paddy McLaughlin’s first home game as Glenavon manager proved to be a classic against Coleraine.

The Bannsiders’ led comfortably through Rhyss Campbell and Jamie Glackin going into the break. The former Coleraine striker David McDaid pulled one back for the Lurgan Blues early in the second half, but Cameron Stewart looked to have won the game for the visitors with a fortuitous header.

Glenavon continued the fight as McDaid scored his second from the penalty spot on 77 minutes and then five minutes into stoppage time Matthew Snoddy popped up with an important equalising goal as it ended 3-3.

At the Ballymena Showgrounds, ten-man Carrick Rangers came away with all three points with a 2-1 victory over Ballymena United. Goals from Danny Gibson and Nedas Maciulaitis either side of Daithi McCallion’s equaliser sealed the victory, as Stephen Baxter’s men finished the game a player down, as goalkeeper Ross Glendinning seen red for handling outside the penalty area.

An action-packed weekend of Sports Direct Premiership football continues on Sunday as Larne welcome Cliftonville to Inver Park for new manager Nathan Rooney’s first game in charge live on the BBC iPlayer kicking off at 2pm.