CLIFTONVILLE looked set to slow Linfield’s seemingly relentless march towards a first Sports Direct Premiership title in three years when Joe Gormley gave the Reds a 76th minute lead at Windsor Park on Saturday night – but two goals in little over a minute turned the match on its head.
Both sets of supporters paid tribute to Michael Newberry in the 27th minute with a minute’s applause. The Reds defender, who had arrived at Solitude from Linfield, died suddenly over Christmas aged 27. Chants of ‘one Michael Newberry’ rang out around the stadium.
Kyle McClean equalised on 81 minutes before former Antrim GAA star Matthew Fitzpatrick won it for the Blues.
Reds keeper David Odumosu saved a Chris Shields spot-kick in the first half after Joel Cooper was adjudged to have been fouled in the area by Axel Piesold.
The victory means David Healy’s side have a 16-point lead over second-placed Glentoran, who have a match in hand. The bitter rivals meet in the last 16 of the Irish Cup at the Oval on Friday night.
Champions Larne are in sixth and – due to European commitments – have six matches in hand but trail the Blues by a whopping 22 points.