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The Ports twice came from behind to equalise but Michael O’Connor’s goal ensured that his side would avoid the automatic drop from the top flight.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Swifts look set to contest the relegation\/promotion play-off after Newry City drew 2-2 with Ballymena.<\/span><\/p>\nGlentoran beat Coleraine 3-0 to retain hope of finishing second in the table.<\/span><\/p>\nLinfield occupy the runner-up position but the Glens trail their Belfast ‘Big Two’ rivals by three points going into next Saturday’s final round of fixtures and boast a superior goal difference.<\/span><\/p>\nLinfield are away to Cliftonville next weekend, with Glentoran away to Crusaders as both sides chase the second place which would guarantee European football and avoid the end-of-season play-offs.<\/span><\/p>\nTerry Devlin gave Rodney McAree’s side a second-minute lead and Niall McGinn then netted twice as the hosts ran out comfortable victors at the Oval.<\/span><\/p>\nThe game was marred by an injury to Coleraine defender Adam Mullan, who received treatment on the pitch for 10 minutes in the second half before being stretchered off.<\/span><\/p>\nIn the day’s other ‘top six’ encounter, Paul Heatley of Crusaders scored twice, including a late leveller, as Declan O’Hara’s first game in temporary charge of Cliftonville ended in a 3-3 draw at Solitude.<\/span><\/p>\nIn the bottom half of the table, Newry City surely ensured the preservation of their Premiership status with that draw at home to Irish Cup finalists Ballymena United.<\/span><\/p>\nDarren Mullen’s team sit three points above 11th-placed Dungannon but crucially enjoy a far superior goal difference to Dean Shiels’ charges.<\/span><\/p>\nSeventh-placed Glenavon were 3-1 winners at Carrick Rangers.<\/span><\/p>\nDungannon avoid the drop<\/h3>\n<\/span><\/span>Ethan McGee rises to head home for Dungannon in the first half<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPortadown’s three-year stay in the Premiership ended as they tasted defeat in a topsy-turvy encounter at Stangmore Park.<\/span><\/p>\nEthanMcGee nodded home from Jordan Jenkins’ corner to make it 1-0 at half-time but after the break Paul McElroy tapped in from a yard out to restore parity.<\/span><\/p>\nFive minutes later, Jenkins latched onto a long ball, before outpacing everyone in midfield, leaving him one-on-one with Jethren Barr and firing into the bottom corner.<\/span><\/p>\nMcElroy grabbed his second midway through the second half when his close-range strike crashed off the bar, hitting the shoulders of Declan Dunne in it path into the back of the net.<\/span><\/p>\nThe winner came when Corey Smith’s skilful play down the wing was followed up by an inch-perfect pass by the youngster which Michael O’Connor steered into the net from close range.<\/span><\/p>\nGlens see off Coleraine<\/h3>\n<\/span><\/span>Glentoran remain in the race for European spot with win over Coleraine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFans were barely in their seats at the Oval when midfielder Devlin opened the scoring after just a minute and 13 seconds, nipping in front of his marker to head McGinn’s cross from close range following a quickly taken corner.<\/span><\/p>\nMcGinn scored the first of his double on the half hour after a sweeping Glentoran move. <\/span><\/p>\nConor McMenamin’s initial effort struck the woodwork but his fellow Northern Ireland international was on hand to control before firing past Gareth Deane from just inside the box.<\/span><\/p>\nTen minutes later he scored his second and Glentoran’s third. Devlin did well to dispossess Coleraine defender Kieran Farren on the edge of the penalty area before squaring for McGinn to side-foot home from 18 yards.<\/span><\/p>\nColeraine did have their chances, Matthew Shevlin and Jack O’Mahony testing Aaron McCarey from distance and Andrew Scott curling a right foot effort against the post from the edge of the penalty area, but their barren form in front of goal continues.<\/span><\/p>\n