It’s as if you were top of the Premier League at Danske Bank after league leaders Linfield and runners-up Cliftonville failed to concede to each other without surprising the points at Solitude.
Saturday’s showdown means the Blues’ David Hill, after their fourth consecutive Gibson Cup, remain one point ahead of the Reds with four games remaining in the title race.
Third-placed Glentoran, who lost 4-0 at home to the Cruiser, is now six points off the lead after time passes.
Although it finished 0-0 in North Belfast, it was a great fight and probably won by both sides over Bumper fans.
Kristi Manzinga had Linfield’s best chance at 18 minutes when Chris McKee fired him, but the striker’s shot from close range was blocked by Luke McNicolas.
Blues captain Jimmy Malgreo, Manzing and Jordan Stewart also threw very tightly to the visitors in the second half after a free kick.
At the lower end, Cliftonville’s best chances fell to striker Joe Gormley, who has played after seven goals in the previous five games.
The player fell from 12 yards in the 48th minute and was then sent off by Linfield goalkeeper Chris Jones after an attack from Ryan Koren.
Elsewhere, Glentoran’s title hopes were dealt a heavy blow when they suffered a devastating – and frustrating – 4-0 defeat to the Crusaders at Beth McClain Oval.
Declan Wall, Philip Lowery, Daniel Lamorey and Paul Heatley were targets for all the guests who dominated the trials.
The Glenn, welcomed by some of its fans, has scored just 10 points out of a potential 21 in their last seven Danske Bank Premier League matches.
In Division B, basement club Warrenpoint Town had faint hopes of survival with a decisive 1-0 victory over second-placed Portadown at Shamrock Park.
Barlan Gray scored the penalty kick in the first half of the game by Barry Gray’s teams shortly before their fourth league win of the season, and they were nine points behind Porte in their remaining four playoff games.
Carrick beat Rangers Dungannon Swift 1-0 to take Stingmore Park to take a 4-0 lead and put Portadown four points into the relegation zone.
Glenavon’s ten men raised their hopes of a seventh-place finish and a place in the European qualifiers with a 3-1 win over Ballyman United.
The Blues won the Blues with two goals by Peter Campbell in two minutes of the second half, as Calum Byrne missed the opening goal by Kim Nelson in the 25th minute for Blues Sky.
Balmena denied the lead from the penalty spot after Danny Wallace received a red card for Glenavon when youngster Josh Clark saved Leroy Millar’s shot from the point.
Things worsened with Ballyman’s delay when influential captain Millar was fired after a standoff in the center of the circle.
Today’s results
Section A
Glentoran 0 Crusaders 4
Cliftonville X Lynfield X
part b
Karik Rangers 1 Dungannon Swift 0
Glenavon 3 Balimina United 1
Portadown 0 Warrenpoint Town 1
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Source: Belfastlive
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