Northern Ireland round-up: Easy for Omagh

Omagh's hero
Striker Andy Crawford was the hero, scoring twice and setting up the third for Barry Patton. Crawford put the Tyrone team ahead on 37 minutes before he doubled his tally midway through the second half from a Barry Patton knockdown. Crawford then returned the favour, setting up Patton two minutes from time.

Class of Ports
Champions Portadown FC stayed in second spot with a 2-0 away win over Ards FC at Taylor's Avenue. But the Ports needed an own goal from Sean Cleary to break the deadlock against an Ards side reduced to ten men by Shane Reddish's early dismissal. Richard Clarke made sure of the points with the second goal on the hour.

Glentoran win again
Glentoran FC, last season's runners-up, have played fewer games than the leaders due to UEFA Cup commitments but maintained their 100 per cent record with a 3-1 home success against bottom club Newry Town FC.

Penalty woe
Second-half strikes from Colin Nixon and Michael Halliday sealed victory at The Oval after John Joe Maguire had equalised Andy Smith's opener for the Glens, who also missed a penalty through Chris Walker.

All square
Linfield FChad the better of a goalless draw at Glenavon FC even though the visitors had Stephen Collier sent off for a second yellow card in the 49th minute. Coleraine FC and Cliftonville FC also shared the spoils, drawing 1-1 at the Showgrounds.

Late, late show
Barry Tumilty appeared to have won it for Cliftonville when he scored in the second minute of injury time. However, Paul Gaston rescued a point two minutes later for the Bannsiders.

Home security
Institute FC kept up their record of not conceding a goal at home by beating Crusaders FC 2-0 courtesy of a double strike from Stuart Bratton.