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Two goals each by Joe Gormley and Diamuid O'Carroll saw defending champions Cliftonville win away to pre-season title favourites Linfield.

Gormley turned to shoot in the opener in the 28th minute and he soon added a second when put through by Liam Boyce.

Former Cliftonville player James Knowles fired in a superb free-kick and Aaron Burns headed in at the far post to make it 2-2 in the 68th minute.

Substitute O'Carroll then struck twice to give the Reds victory.

Firstly, he diverted in Barry Johnston's shot from about seven yards out and then he punished defensive hesitancy by Billy Joe Burns to lob Blues keeper Jonny Tuffey.

The result may suggest Linfield were well beaten in the end, but they will point to a hotly-disputed refereeing decision by Colin Burns, just after Knowles had pulled a goal back in the first half.

It looked a clear penalty as Aaron Burns appeared to have been shoved off the ball from behind by Cliftonville defender Tomás Cosgrove.

However, referee Burns, instead of pointing to the spot, booked the Linfield midfielder for diving.

Linfield also felt they could have had a penalty early in the second half, claiming Barry Johnston handled in blocked a shot from close-range by Billy Joe Burns.

DANSKE BANK PREMIERSHIP RESULTS

Coleraine 2 (Lowry 62, Tommons 76)

Portadown 2 (Twigg 44, Braniff 70)

Crusaders 1 (Adamson 55)

Ballymena United 2 (Dolan 77, Liggett 89)

Dungannon Swifts 1 (Hazley pen 19)

Ballinamallard United 0

Glenavon 1 (McGrory 77)

Glentoran 2 (Howland 20, Scullion 56)

Linfield 2 (Knowles 32, A Burns 68)

Cliftonville 4 (Gormley 28, 30, O'Carroll 76, 92)

CHAMPIONSHIP ONE

Dergview 0-0 Limavady Utd

Donegal Celtic 1-4 Bangor

Institute 6-2 Coagh Utd

Loughgall 1-2 Lisburn Distillery

CHAMPIONSHIP TWO

Banbridge Town 4-3 Annagh United

Killymoon Rangers 0-4 Armagh City

Moyola Park 4-0 Lurgan Celtic

Portstewart 3-1 Tobermore Utd

PSNI 3-1 Glebe Rangers

Sport & Leisure Swifts 1-1 Wakehurst