Summary

  • Ards 4-2 Ballymena United (Res)

  • Coleraine 2-0 Carrick Rangers (Res)

  • Crusaders 1-2 Linfield (Res

  • Glentoran 2-2 Dungannon Swifts (Res)

  • Glenavon 2-2 Cliftonville (Fri, Res)

  • Ballinamallard United 1-0 Portadown (Fri, Res)

Live Reporting

Richard Petrie and Lyle Jackson

  1. Goodbye and Happy New Year

    Full programme on Tuesday

    Well, that's about it on what could turn out to be a pivotal day in the race for the Irish Premiership title. Time will tell. Read a full round-up of Saturday's action here and all the goals from the weekend will soon be available to view on the BBC Sport website.

    All that remains is to wish all Irish League fans a happy new year and remember to join us on Tuesday night for coverage of a full programme of Irish Premiership games. Leaders Crusaders go to Ards, while Linfield will hope to build on their win at Seaview today as they host Coleraine.

    The Irish League Show will have an extensive round-up of both sets of fixtures, and will be available to view on the BBC Sport NI website and the BBC iPlayer from Wednesday 4 January.

  2. What they said

    Coleraine 2-0 Carrick Rangers

    We totally dominated, particularly in the second half, and penned them in for large periods of the game. We just needed that little bit of luck in front of goal but that's the best performance I've seen from the lads in terms of keeping the ball. Overall, I'm pleased with how we played, though disappointed with the result."

    Aaron Callaghan, Carrick Rangers manager

  3. What they said

    Coleraine 2-0 Carrick Rangers

    It is good to get up and running again as it's been a tough month. We are around the halfway point of the league and there is still a huge amount of football to be played between now and the end of the season. Our performance was back to how we have played for most of the season and the players showed good character to keep a clean sheet and get three points."

    Oran Kearney, Coleraine manager

  4. What they said

    Glentoran 2-2 Dungannon Swifts

    It was a game of two halves as we were coasting at 2-0 up at half-time but conceded a goal early in the second half to let them back into the game. We were in control but I warned them. There is a lack of leadership and of people taking responsibility. We have to stop the opposition dictating and we didn't do that today. Dungannon didn't have to work very hard for their goals.

    Gary Haveron, Glentoran manager

  5. What they said

    Crusaders 1-2 Linfield

    I'm disappointed to lose the game but it was an incredible occasion. It's a pity we didn't get the equaliser I thought our second half play deserved as we were sensational. Unfortunately the same could not be said of our first half display as we conspired to shoot ourselves in the foot.

    Stephen Baxter, Crusaders manager

  6. Ards comeback victory stuns Ballymena

    Ards twice come from behind to earn manager Colin Nixon the first victory of his tenure in the New Year's Eve Premiership game at the Bangor Fuels Arena.

    Goalkeeper Aaron Hogg was credited with an own goal for Ballymena's first goal, but Carl McComb restored parity.

    Johnny McMurray put the Sky Blues ahead again, before Kyle Cherry brought the teams level again.

    Further strikes from Emmett Friars and substitute Gary Liggett ensured three points for the hosts.

    Ards come back victory stuns Ballymena United

  7. What they said

    Crusaders 1-2 Linfield

    It's a good three points for us as this is a hard place to come but we stood up in the battle today. We defended strongly as a unit and are pleased to come to the home of the champions and get the win. The pressure was on us today and we delivered but it's only three points and we have to kick on from here.

    Andrew Waterworth, Linfield goalscorer

  8. What they said

    Glentoran 2-2 Carrick Rangers

    We went in 2-0 down at half-time but we continued to play in the second half as we did in the first. I just told the players to go out and believe in themselves. We changed our shape and got key personnel into certain areas and it worked for us. Andy Mitchell is very hard to mark in the six-yard box and when we got the ball to him he did the rest.

    Rodney McAree, Dungannon Swifts manager

  9. Title race hots up

    Crusaders 1-2 Linfield

    People have questioned Linfield's big-match mentality but today they have put a marker down and it keeps the title race alive

    Chris Morgan, Former Crusaders and Linfield striker

  10. FULL-TIME

    Coleraine 2-0 Carrick Rangers

    Fifth-placed Coleraine close to within five points of Ballymena above them in the table.

    Relief will be the primary emotion at Ballycastle Road as the Bannsiders bring their barren spell without a win to an end.

  11. FULL-TIME

    Crusaders 1-2 Linfield

    A huge win for second-placed Linfield away to the champions and Premiership leaders Crusaders.

  12. FULL-TIME

    Glentoran 2-2 Dungannon Swifts

    Two second-half goals by Andrew Mitchell earn Dungannon a comeback draw away to the Glens.

  13. goal

    GOAL

    Coleraine 2-0 Carrick Rangers

    Jamie McGonigle scores his second of the game in the final minute to ensure a much-needed victory for Coleraine.

  14. INJURY TIME

    Crusaders 1-2 Linfield

    Five minutes of stoppage time at Seaview.

    Crusaders are piling forward but a hard-working Linfield team are holding on.

    A first home league defeat in 29 would see Crusaders' lead at the top of the table cut from seven to four points.

  15. GREAT SAVE!

    Crusaders 1-2 Linfield

    Linfield's Roy Carroll is at full stretch to tip over a fine effort from distance by the dangerous David Cushley. On as a substitute at the break, Cushley is looking menacing. Hold on to your hats.

    Roy Carroll tips over David Cushley's curling effort

  16. goal

    GOAL

    Crusaders 1-2 Linfield

    Now then, we really have a game at Seaview as Jordan Owens scores for Crusaders. 

    The big striker gets the better of Mark Stafford to head what could prove a crucial goal.

    There are still 15 minutes plus a substantial portion of added time to go.

    The gap between the top two will either be four, seven or 10 points tonight - so all to play for.

    Jordan Owens heads in to reduce the deficit

  17. goal

    GOAL

    Glentoran 2-2 Dungannon Swifts

    Andrew Mitchell strikes again to level matters in the 70th minute at the Oval. The ball breaks to him in the box and he tucks past Elliott Morris from close in. Mitchell is making a name for himself this season and Dungannon may come under pressure to keep their prized goal-getter

  18. TWO RED CARDS

    Crusaders 0-2 Linfield

    Linfield skipper Jamie Mulgrew and manager David Healy have been sent off after a touchline incident in front of the dug-outs.

    Boss Healy instinctively stuck his foot out and touched the ball when it was still in play, thinking a free-kick was going to be awarded, ending a run by Crues striker Jordan Owens.

    Things then get out of hand, with players becoming involved in some unseemly scuffles. Ugly scenes with tempers flaring on both sides. Net result - reds for Healy and Mulgrew, yellow for Crusaders keeper Sean O'Neill.

  19. Waterworth miss

    Crusaders 0-2 Linfield

    The Blues should be 3-0 up but striker Andrew Waterworth shoots wide after getting to the ball before Crues keeper Sean O'Neill.

  20. What they said

    Ards 4-2 Ballymena Utd

    To say I am disappointed is an understatement. We were fortune to come in 2-1 up at half-time as Ards were quicker to the ball and we seemed half a yard off the pace. Ards were in the ascendancy for much of the game thereafter and when we conceded a goal 37 seconds into the second half we had a mountain to climb. We have done tremendously well for much of the season but there will be setbacks along the way and now it's all about how we respond.

    David Jeffrey, Ballymena United manager