Cliftonville made it three successive Irish Premiership wins as they edged rivals Crusaders 1-0 in an entertaining game at Solitude. Joe Gormley scored what proved to be the winner on 39 minutes, slotting home from a narrow angle for his seventh goal of the season. The victory moves Jim Magilton's side up to second in the table, with leaders Linfield not in action until Sunday.
Ballymena United slipped to a third loss in a row as they were beaten 3-0 by Portadown at the Showgrounds. Gormley opened the scoring in the 39th minute, after neat build-up play involving Michael Newberry and Aaron Pettifer ended with Shea Kearney poking the ball through to Gormley, who made no mistake slotting past Jonny Tuffey. Magilton's side had threatened earlier in the contest when Michael Glynn found Taylor Steven in acres of space, but Tuffey made a sprawling save to stop the midfielder's volley from close range.
The Crues had squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead themselves in the 21st minute, Jordan Forsythe heading straight at David Odumosu from point-blank range after meeting Robbie Weir's inviting cross. The hosts continued to press, with Ryan Curran chipping the ball over the visitors' defence to find Gormley, whose tight-angled shot was denied by the busy Tuffey. Declan Caddell's men pushed for an equaliser in the second half, with Forsythe heading wide from close range and Philip Lowry shooting off-target from distance.
The lively Jordan Stewart also threatened after disposs.
