Blues beat Crues as Carrick ease past Dungannon

Linfield defeated Crusaders 1-0 at Seaview in the Irish Premiership on Saturday while an Adam Lecky hat-trick helped Carrick Rangers build on their midweek County Antrim Shield success by comprehensively beating Dungannon Swifts 5-1 at Taylors Avenue.

Matthew Fitzpatrick's first-half goal proved enough for the fourth-placed Blues to secure their win and extend their unbeaten league run to four matches.

The champions passed up an opportunity to extend their winning margin when Musa Dibaga saved Alex Gorrin's penalty.

Joe Crowe, Paul Heatley and Lecky were on target as Carrick established a 3-0 half-time lead over Rodney McAree's side, with striker Lecky adding another two to complete his treble after the break and Eoghan Liggett netting a consolation for the visitors.

It was a first top-flight home win for Carrick since they beat Portadown on 11 October while for the Swifts it was a second loss in three in the top division.

Stephen Baxter's side leapfrog over Crusaders and Ballymena United into ninth in the table on the back of their victory.

On Friday night, leaders Larne saw off Bangor 2-1 and Coleraine overcame bottom side Glenavon 2-0 while on Sunday, Glentoran host Cliftonville in a game which will be broadcast live on BBC Two NI (14:00 GMT kick-off).

Linfield have often struggled away from home this season, having previously only won on the road against Bangor at Clandeboye Park in the league, but they came out on top against a Crues side who have now been beaten eight times at Seaview this season.

Matthew Fitzpatrick's strike early in the first half proved the difference as David Healy's side recorded just their third away win of the term.

It took just eight minutes for the Blues to break the deadlock, with Fitzpatrick volleying past Dibaga at the near post for his 10th league goal of the campaign after Kyle McClean's poked pass.

The visitors had the chance to double their lead 10 minutes before half-time, but Gorrin's spot-kick was well saved by Dibaga down to his left-hand side.

It could and perhaps should have been a larger scoreline in Linfield's favour at the break, with Matt Yates coming close just before the interval with a header.

The hosts came close to finding an equaliser midway through the second half as Adam Brooks' strike was cleared off the line by Jamie Mulgrew.

The Blues continued to dominate proceedings for the majority of the second half, but were unable to put the game to bed, making for a nervy end in north Belfast.

They did see it out despite a few hairy moments late on, moving within three points of third-placed Glentoran in the Irish Premiership standings.

Carrick took control early on when a free-kick was punted forward, then Crowe showed great control on the edge of the Swifts' box and played a lovely one-two with Lecky, before drilling the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal from 10 yards, giving goalkeeper Declan Dunne no chance.

McAree's team were punished soon after when Michael Place chipped in a ball from the right behind the defence and Paul Heatley nipped in and slotted home from six yards for his seventh goal of the term.

On 25 minutes Danny Gibson powered down the right towards the bye-line before cutting the ball across the six-yard line, beyond Dunne and into the path of Lecky, who slotted home.

The second half was a much more unsettled affair but Carrick ended the game as a contest on 64 minutes with a second for Lecky.

Place deliveres an in-swinging corner from the left and after some commotion in the area it was Lecky who got the final touch to poke the ball home from close range.

Nine minutes later Dungannon pulled one back through Liggett who nodded home from five yards, but just two minutes later Lecky had his hat-trick.

A long ball forward played Lecky through as he beat the offside trap before tucking it low past Dunne in goal to complete the rout.