Glenavon 0-2 Linfield

Oran Kearney celebrates after hitting Linfield's opening goal

Linfield took a massive step towards securing the league title with a 2-0 win over Glenavon at Mourneview Park.

The Blues are three points ahead of Glentoran, and have a better goal difference, with one game each to play.

Glenavon exerted early pressure but Oran Kearney headed in Jamie Mulgrew's cross after 15 minutes to make it 1-0.

Peter Thompson headed home after Paul McAreavey headed across goal after 54 minutes and the prolific striker also hit the post late in the game.

The game began brightly for the Lurgan Blues with Trevor Molloy curling a right-foot shot wide, with the help of a deflection off a defender.

Molloy was also wide with a free-kick and then Alan Mannus failed to hold onto a Gerard McMahon corner but referee Mark Courtney adjudged that the ball had not crossed the goal-line from the resulting goalmouth scramble.

Glenn Ferguson failed to connect with a free-kick before Kearney broke the deadlock and then Thompson went close to adding to the Blues' advantage.

Thompson did find the net after the break and also hit the woodwork.

After the match Linfield manager David Jeffrey conceded that his side were on the brink of claiming the title but added that they "still have to get over the line".

"We responded well from the last two matches we played, scored two good goals and the players were magnificent. I am very proud.

"This was a big performance and a big result for us."