BIG MATCH FOCUS: Pages 54-55

“It’s been a good two weeks, but it’s very easy to pat yourself on the back and say ‘job done’ when there’s still a lot more of the sea- son to be played.”

Director of Rugby Les Kiss has taken the opportunity to rest some front-liners, notably Christian Leali’ifano and Stuart McCloskey, and is still missing more than a third of his first-choice line-up through injury.

Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and John Cooney will be present, with Darren Cave winning his 200th cap. COLERAINE and Crusaders passed tough tests last night to keep their Danske Bank Premiership title missions on track.

The league’s top two will tuck into their Christmas turkey with that winning feeling after leaders Coleraine — who maintain their six-point advantage — won 2-0 at Warrenpoint Town and Crusaders edged out Ballymena United 2-1 at Seaview.

Ian Parkhill’s deflected shot and a late Darren McCauley goal sealed the points at Milltown while Matthew Shevlin’s opener at Seaview sparked the Crues into life and a Colin Coates header and Gavin Whyte penalty secured the win.

Crues skipper Coates said: “You have to dig out some results and we did that. It was scrappy but we managed to hang on for the win. They grew in confidence and we haven’t kept enough clean sheets by our standards. We make it hard for ourselves but we are delighted with the win and it keeps our good run going.”

It’s third v fifth in the Premiership this afternoon when Cliftonville visit Windsor Park to take on Linfield.

Meanwhile, Glentoran goalkeeper Elliott Morris says he’s confident he will agree a new two-year deal with the club in the next few days.

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