The top three in the Lough 41 Championship - Ards, Newry City and Ballyclare Comrades - opened up a sizeable gap on the chasing pack with victories in the latest round of fixtures while there were also wins for Dergview and Ballinamallard United.

Ards remain two points clear following a 2-0 win over bottom club Queen's University at Clandeboye Park. Eamon Scannell opened the scoring just before the break, and doubled up on 57 minutes just after the Students had been reduced to ten men following Adam Calvert's dismissal.

Newry City came from behind to defeat Institute 2-1 at the Brandywell. The on form Brendan McLaughlin opened the scoring for 'Stute on nine minutes but Stephen Lawless levelled for Newry just before half-time with James Teelan grabbing the winner around the hour mark.

It was an altogether more comfortable afternoon for third placed Ballyclare Comrades who coasted to a 4-1 win away to Annagh United.

Liam Hassin opened the scoring on six minutes with Andrew Mooney doubling their lead less than 15 minutes later. Ashton McDermott headed into his own net soon after to pull Annagh back into the game but two second half goals from Ian Fletcher and Ciaran Heggarty put the issue beyond doubt.

Dergview needed just a Benny Igiehon strike in first half stoppage time to defeat Loughgall at Darragh Park while Ballinamallard United returned home from their long journey to take on Dundela at Wilgar Park with the points following a 3-1 win.

Owain Beggs opened the scoring for the Duns after just nine minutes but Joshua McIlwaine levelled for the Mallards midway through the first half. That was how it stayed until Reece Byrne edged the visitors in front on 71 minutes with McIlwaine making sure with his second nine minutes after that.

Meanwhile, HW Welders launched their new Blanchflower Stadium with a 1-1 draw against Knockbreda. The visitors perhaps hadn't read the script when they moved in front through Anto Burns as early as the fifth minute but Alan McMurtry levelled for the Welders in the 22nd minute to ultimately see the game finish with honours even.