Things tightening up in Premiership

Ballymena United warmed up for Friday's derby at Coleraine with a deserved 2-0 home win over Crusaders on Tuesday night.

Two second half goals from striker Igor Rutkowski sealed victory for Oran Kearney's side in a six-pointer at the foot of the table.

The victory - United's first since defeating the Bannsiders on Boxing Day -moves the Braid club three points clear of the relegation play-off place.

It also moves them to within three points of ninth-placed Portadown and eight points behind sixth-placed Carrick Rangers.

At the other end of the table, Linfield leapfrogged Glentoran into third in the table thanks to a convincing win at Dungannon Swifts.

The Blues are one of the form teams in the top flight and are three points behind second-placed Coleraine, with a game in hand.

However, the 'Big Two' are set to meet at Windsor Park this Saturday, meaning that someone will drop points whatever the outcome.

That makes victory for Coleraine at home to Ballymena 24 hours before vital if they want to maintain the gap to third place.