Blues go five clear

William Murphy opened the scoring with a downward header from a corner to set the Blues on their way.

After a couple of half chances the match had some drama when Linfield's Mark McAllister was sent off.

It was 2-0 for the ten men when a cross deep into the box was forced into the net by a home defender as Philp Lowry applied the pressure.

The best goal of the night seal the points for the title favourites when Damien Curran volleyed home from a tight angle in the second half.

Next up for the Blues is the Setanta Cup semi-final first leg in Dublin next Saturday against Bohemians.