Glenn Ferguson has been in prolific goalscoring form

The Blues striker headed in off the crossbar from Paul McAreavey's left-wing cross after 61 minutes.

Linfield dominated the game and created all the chances, with only Glentoran goalkeeper Elliott Morris denying them a much greater margin of victory.

Ferguson, McAreavey, Pat McShane and Peter Thompson went close. Glentoran's Philip Simpson was sent-off after 64.

The defender brought down a Linfield forward after being caught in possession trying to dribble his way out of danger.

Morris made his first save of the game on 24 minutes, denying Ferguson with his legs.

The Glens stopper followed this by saving a left-foot volley from McAreavey and tipping Pat McShane's long range effort round the post.

Ten minutes after the break, Ferguson's curling shot came off the woodwork and then the prolific striker shot just past the post.

After the deadlock was broken and Simpson's dismissal, Thompson also hit the woodwork and Morris continued his heroics with saves from a Ferguson header and Thompson.

Linfield: Mannus, Ervin, McShane, Bailie, Murphy, Picking, Gault, McAreavey, Kearney, Ferguson, Thompson.