Northern Ireland round-up: Portadown draw level

Arkins hat-trick
Despite being reduced to ten men before half-time, a hat-trick from captain Vinny Arkins, including two goals in the last 13 minutes, saw the champions make a terrific comeback at Institute.

Ogden dismissed
Stephen Parkhouse had given the hosts a tenth minute lead but, Arkins equalised ten minutes later. Two Institute defenders then got on the scoresheet, Allan Blair restoring the lead before Willie Patterson's penalty - which followed Neil Ogden's dismissal for the visitors - gave them a 3-1 lead.

Late equaliser
However Portadown refused to concede defeat and Arkins converted a 78th minute penalty that he won himself, before scoring the all-important equaliser with just two minutes left.

Omagh beaten
The point proved all the more valuable as league-leaders Omagh suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat against Ards FC at St Julian's Road. Ards captain John Bailie scored the only goal of the game, a terrific 20-metre drive on 18 minutes following great work by striker Peter Lowry.

Joy for Glentoran
Glentoran FC moved off the bottom of the table on goal difference with a 2-0 home win over Coleraine FC, but it will be a long hard season for the Glens after they lost their appeal to the Irish League against a 12-point deduction on Friday night.

Strikers score
Andy Smith reacted well to toe-poke in the opener as early as the seventh minute. His strike partner Michael Halliday sealed the win with a second goal on the hour, providing a neat finish to a Kevin Keegan cross.

Linfield on top
Linfield FC won 2-0 win at Lisburn Distillery FC to move into fourth place. Portuguese player Miguel Chines gave Linfield the lead in the eighth minute and Glenn Ferguson put the visitors in complete control by doubling their advantage just ten minutes later.

O'Boyle on target
Glenavon FC had former Northern Ireland international George O'Boyle to thank for their 2-1 home win against Cliftonville FC. The summer signing maintained his record of scoring in every league game he has started for the side with the 63rd minute goal that proved to decisive.

Goalless draw
Elsewhere, Crusaders FC and Newry Town FC fought out a scoreless draw at Seaview, a result that meant that the hosts drop to the bottom of the table with the visitors now just above them on goal difference.