Stephen Parkhouse scored the all-important goal for Institute

Institute clinched the last remaining place in the top six of the Daily Mirror Premier League by beating Portadown at Drumahoe on Saturday.

The North-West side went into the decisive day two points behind sixth-placed Lisburn Distillery.

But, with Paul Kirk's Whites going down 2-1 at home to Linfield, Institute's win over second-placed Portadown proved crucial.

Stephen Parkhouse got their goal in the 71st minute, the former Derry City player finishing in fine style after build-up work from Ryan Coyle and Stuart Bratton.

That made it a desperately disappointing day for Lisburn Distillery.

As they had a much better goal difference than Institute, a draw would have been enough to give them a top six finish.

And they looked to be well on their way when a defelected Andrew Dickson shot put them into a 61st minute lead at New Grosvenor.

But Linfield replied with two goals in five minutes to win 2-1.

At Mourneview Park, Paul Keenan scored a 70th minute equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Cliftonville.

The Belfast Reds, who have not won a game in 2003, had taken the lead seven minutes earlier through George McMullan.

Ards won 1-0 at Omagh with their goal coming from Alistair McCombe in the 72nd minute.

Saturday 29 March 2003

Daily Mirror Irish League Premier Division
Crusaders 0-2 Newry Town
Glenavon 1-1 Cliftonville
Glentoran 1-0 Coleraine
Institute 1-0 Portadown
Lisburn Distillery 1-2 Linfield
Omagh Town 0-1 Ards