George McMullan fired in Cliftonville's second goal at Solitude

Sean Friars clipped the Reds' woodwork early on but Newry goalkeeper Robert Robinson then saved Francis Murphy's weak penalty on 20 minutes.

Chris Scannell headed the Reds opener on 42 minutes after George McMullan had flicked on Murphy's corner.

McMullan blasted in Cliftonville's second goal on 62 minutes while Tony Anderson missed a late Newry chance.

Cliftonville goalkeeper John Connolly also saved a shot from Richard Clarke in the closing stages.

Friars' speculative effort clipped the angle of the post and bar in the ninth minute as Newry started brightly.

Emmett Friars' foul on Francis Murphy gave the Reds a penalty in the 20th minute but Murphy's shot was easily saved by Robinson.

The home side did talke the lead on 42 minutes with Scannell nodding home after McMullan had flicked on Murphy's corner.

McMullan's second goal made the game safe for Cliftonville as he fired in a great shot from 22 yards.

The win moves Eddie Patterson's side a point ahead of Linfield, having played the same amount of games as the Blues.

Glentoran are three points behind the leaders but they have a game in hand on Cliftonville and a better goal difference.