Coleraine dig out win over Ballymena United

How pivotal might this weekend be in the title race?

Of course we won't know for a few months yet but, certainly, Friday night's results have shaken things up at the top of the table.

Coleraine's 1-0 win over Ballymena United, coupled with Larne's shock 3-2 home defeat to Carrick Rangers, means the Bannsiders trail the leaders by just two points, albeit the Inver Park men have a game in hand.

Throw into the mix the small matter of the 'Big Two' meeting at Windsor Park on Saturday and, suddenly, things have got very interesting.

Linfield are currently in third with 55 points, six points adrift of Coleraine with two games in hand, with Glentoran back in fourth on 53 points but having played four games less than Coleraine.

But that's for another day.

For now, it's all about Ruaidhri Higgins' men who produced a professional performance to get the job done against an improving Ballymena United.

Friday night's game started in whirlwind fashion, both teams having efforts cleared off the line in the opening minutes.

First, Jamie Glackin was in the right place at the right time to deny Igor Rutkowski from a Dylan McGeouch corner before Mark Connolly was twice denied at the other end - first by a Dylan Wade save and then by Daniel Lafferty heading clear from under the crossbar.

James Akintunde shot wide after outmuscling the opposition defence before the home side struck just before the half hour mark.

Beautiful interplay between Jamie Glackin and Ben Wylie saw the latter feed Will Patching who took a touch before drilling home a low shot for his seventh league goal of the season.

The visitors were much improved after half-time and Sean Murray will be wondering how he didn't score, heading straight at Ryan Schofield from six yards.

And Coleraine had the Englishman to thank again shortly after when he raced out of his goal to thwart Success Edogun, put through one on one with the keeper.

Ballymena boss Oran Kearney emptied his bench in the closing stages, throwing on all his attacking players, but Coleraine's defence stood firm on a night which breathes fresh hope into Coleraine's title challenge.

What an intriguing end to the season we could have.