Linfield and Ballymena United won again to continue to lead the way at the top of the Sports Direct Premiership on a weekend that also produced victories for Dungannon Swifts, Crusaders and Larne.

The Blues hold a two-point lead after sweeping to a three-goal defeat of Coleraine at The Showgrounds.

David Healy’s side killed the game off in a blistering first half display, opening the scoring on 20 minutes when Joel Cooper found the net from Matthew Fitzpatrick’s lay off.

The visitors doubled their lead five minutes later when Bannsiders keeper Rory Brown fumbled a Kirk Millar ball over his line at the near post while, moments from the break, Kyle McClean added a third from close range with Fitzpatrick again being involved in the build up.

Ballymena United made it six wins on the bounce following a narrow victory away to Portadown.

The only goal of the game came on the stroke of half-time through Ethan Devine after he got his head to a Josh Carson cross delivered from the left.

Dungannon Swifts swept to a four goal victory over Carrick Rangers at Stangmore Park to move into third spot.

Two goals after the half-hour mark from John McGovern and Kealan Dillon put Rodney McAree’s side firmly in control.

McGovern opened the scoring after Adam Glenny had squared the ball into his path six yards out before Dillon doubled up with a stunning strike from 30 yards.

Rangers were reduced to ten men following Joe Crowe’s dismissal soon after for a challenge on Cahal McGinty but it took the Swifts until the 70th minute to extend their lead through Andrew Mitchell’s finish into the bottom corner.

Mitchell then turned provider for Leon Boyd to round things off in the final moments from close range.

Crusaders also hit four goals as they swept to victory over Loughgall at Lakeview Park.

All the scoring came in a critical quarter-of-an-hour spell at the end of the game. Jarlath O’Rourke broke the deadlock from Harry Franklin’s right-sided cross, with Ross Clarke adding a second on 84 minutes in off the woodwork.

Jordan Forsythe then scored from the spot five minutes after that before Stewart Nixon hit number four in stoppage time.

Meanwhile, at the BetMcLean Oval, it finished scoreless between Glentoran and Glenavon with the visitors having arguably the best chance of the afternoon when Harry Lynch was denied after going one-on-one with keeper Daniel Gyollai.

The weekend kicked off on Friday night when defending champions Larne continued their upward momentum with victory over Cliftonville at Solitude.

Ruaidhri Donnelly had fired the Reds in front on 17 minutes, but second half goals from Tomas Cosgrove, Andy Ryan and Paul O’Neill ultimately secured the points for Tiernan Lynch’s side.