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Linfield ended their early season goal drought in style as they saw off Donegal Celtic at Windsor Park.

Gary Browne scored with a downward header from six yards after a Peter Thompson left-wing cross on 36 minutes.

Brian McCaul then found the net with a superb strike from 22 yards in the 63rd minute and Thompson added the third from the penalty spot after 84.

Thompson grabbed his second two minutes later, shooting home from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

Thompson had the ball in the net early on but his attempt was ruled out for offside.

Mark Miskimmin had a chance for the visitors in the 17th minute when he chipped over the keeper but the ball went wide of the post.

Kevin Keegan fired wide and with the score at 1-0, Browne went close for the Blues when his header cannoned off the post into the arms of goalkeeper Niall Murphy.

Thompson also shot wide of the post before the interval.

After McCaul's stunning effort, Thompson found the net from the spot when Jamie Mulgrew was fouled in the area by Darren McNamee.

The Linfield striker was on target again soon after, reacting quickest after Mark McAllister's initial effort was saved by Murphy.

Earlier in the second half, Browne had a shot deflected over while for DC, Ryan Deans headed wide with the goal gaping.

In the dying minutes, Thompson missed an opportunity to complete his hat-trick when he fired straight at the keeper and Michael Carvill hit the bar with a swirling cross.