CHAMPIONS IN MORE BOTHER

JOHNNY MCMURRAY bagged the crucial winner last night as Linfield’s title defence hit the buffers at The Showgrounds.

It means the Blues have won only two of their last six games in all competitions and defeat leaves them a whopping 11 points adrift of table toppers Coleraine.

Things started so well for David Healy’s side with Robert Garrett firing the visitors into the lead.

But a half-time rant from David Jeffrey worked wonders for United, who roared back with second half goals from Conor Mccloskey and Mcmurray (above).

On 53 minutes Mccloskey’s 30-yard free kick arrowed past a startled

Blues keeper Gareth Deane, standing in for Roy Carroll who is on Northern Ireland international duty.

The home fans were on their feet again on 61 minutes when Mcmurray’s audacious long-range lob totally bamboozled Deane to give the Sky Blues the lead.

Healy’s boys attempted to come back off the ropes with Jordan Stewart firing a low shot just wide before blazing a good chance over.

But to make matters, Garrett was sent off near the end after picking up a second yellow.