Stewart grabs winner as Linfield beat Glenavon
Glenavon 0-1 Linfield
Linfield came out on top beating Glenavon 1-0 in a close encounter at Mourneview Park on Friday night.
It was Glenavon's first home defeat of the season as David Healy's side secured a vital three points as they bid to cut the gap at the top.
The match was full of action, commitment and the fact only one goal was scored is down to both goalkeepers who produced a number of vital saves.
The home side made an assured start in front of a sell-out crowd, but it was Linfield with an early chance with Cameron Stewart failing to connect with a good ball in by Andrew Waterworth.
However, Stewart found the target on 17 minutes giving the Belfast Blues the lead when he was left unmarked at the back post after the ball broke to him from Chris Casement's corner. It was a well placed header across the goal and into the far corner of the net, but while Linfield celebrated Glenavon were furious, appealing there was a foul on Sammy Clingan.
Glenavon responded with Bobby Burns heading over and then Mark Sykes drilled a shot just over the bar.
Linfield had a great chance to double their lead when Waterworth broke clear but Jonny Tuffey produced a vital save to keep his side in the game.At the other end Roy Carroll was called upon to produce his best to deny Sykes from grabbing the equaliser.
Stephen Lowry through he had made it 2-0 when he smashed the ball home from close range, but his effort was ruled out for hand ball.
The second half began with an early chance for Stewart, his neat footwork setting up a chance but Tuffey made a superb save.
Then Carroll was tested by Clingan - again the Linfield stopper at his best to deal with the long range effort.
With seven minutes to go Linfield's Aaron Burns was stretchered off after twisting his knee, his place taken by Louis Rooney.
A frantic finish saw both teams squander chances to score - first Glenavon's Rhys Marshall failed to hit the target and then Linfield's Niall Quinn put his diving header wide of the post.
In the final minute a Burns corner was met by Simon Kelly but Mark Haughey kept the Blues ahead with a timely clearance off the line.It was that close, but in the end a huge win for Healy's side.