Northern Ireland round-up: Coleraine slip to third

Portadown FC and Glentoran FC both overhauled Coleraine FC to grab the top two spots in Northern Ireland on Saturday.

Disaster strikes for Coleraine
Portadown stunned the morning’s league leaders by earning a 3-1 win at Coleraine's Showgrounds stadium. Rory Hamill had given the home side a 1-0 lead after just seven minutes before Vinny Arkins levelled for the visitors five minutes later. However, a series of second-half disasters scuppered Coleraine as they conceded two goals in as many minutes to Kyle Neill and Stephen Douglas around the hour mark and subsequently had Stuart Clanachan and midfielder Ian McCoosh dismissed.

Glentoran strike late
Glentoran are level with Portadown at the top of the table thanks to a last-minute winner away to Crusaders FC. The home side had defended with determination all game but were undone when Mark Wright picked out debutant striker Andy Smith deep into injury time for the only goal of the game.

Morgan lifts Linfield
Last year’s champions Linfield FC are in touch with the leading pack after a 2-1 win against bottom side Ards FC but they only took decisive advantage of the game when their visitors at Windsor Park had a man sent off. Peter Lowry had given Ards a tenth-minute lead but although Chris Morgan equalised for Linfield just before half-time, it was not until after Ian Young was dismissed early in the second half that Morgan scored his second of the game to settle the result.

Newry win at Glenavon
Elsewhere Newry Town FC won 1-0 away at Glenavon FC with Gareth Fulton taking full advantage when goalkeeper Paul Rice spilt a David Irwin shot with barely 15 minutes of the game left. Meanwhile, the game between Omagh Town FC and Cliftonville FC was postponed due to the pitch at St Julian's Road being waterlogged.