Linfield's Michael Gault pokes the ball away from Ciaran Caldwell's head

The Reds moved up to third in the Carling Premiership after a comfortable win over 10-man Linfield at Solitude.

Ronan Scannell shot Cliftonville ahead but Reds keeper John Connolly was forced off injured at the break and replaced by defender Ciaran Caldwell.

Chris Scannell's volley made it 2-0 while Mark McAllister was red-carded on 66 minutes for a two-footed lunge.

George McMullan blasted home the third before the midfielder completed the rout with an injury-time penalty.

Linfield created the better openings in the first half and Paul Munster was denied by a superb John Connolly save.

The breakthrough came after 41 minutes with Ronan Scannell beating the offside trap before firing beyond Alan Blayney.

Connolly dislocated a shoulder in an accidental collision and the Reds had no substitute keepers so Caldwell was given the gloves for the second half.

Chris Scannell added the second on 52 minutes with a superb turn and strike from the edge of the box.

Blues captain Noel Bailie was struck in the head by an object thrown from the crowd as he retrieved the ball from the net, with the defender able to continue after treatment.

McAllister had already been booked before being dismissed for a poor challenge on Ronan Scannell.

McMullan scored his first goal after 83 minutes and then converted the late spot-kick after a Michael Gault push on Chris Scannell.

Linfield drop to sixth while Cliftonville moved up four places after the game, which was played under new floodlights at the north Belfast ground.

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