ALL four County Antrim Shield quarter-final ties were down for decision on Tuesday night.
In the first of two Belfast derbies, Linfield were 3-0 winners against Cliftonville at Windsor Park, as they avenged last week's league defeat. The home side were on top in the early stages of the opening half, without creating any real chances.
The breakthrough came, however, four minutes before half-time when Matty Clarke took advantage of a mistake in the visitor's defence to make it 1-0. Davy McDaid headed over from just a few yards out for Gerard Lyttle's men just before a poor quality half ended.
In the second-half, Cliftonville sub Jay Donnelly had a header saved and McDaid shot wide from a good position before Ross Gaynor made it 2-0 after another defensive lapse. Daniel Hughes also headed wide for the Reds, who then had Caoimhín Bonner sent-off, before Mark Haughey made it 3-0 from a fine Kirk Millar cross.
Ards were 2-1 winners against fellow Premiership side and Shield holders Ballymena. Joe McKinney put Ards 1-0 up at the Showgrounds after 28 minutes when he cut inside and fired past Ross Glendinning.
The Sky Blues keeper had to be alert again on 33 minutes when he saved at point blank range as David Jeffrey's side struggled to make an impact. Twelve minutes into the second-half, McKinney made it 2-0 when he nipped in following a defensive mix-up between Glendinning and Loughran.
The hosts became increasingly frustrated as the half wore on and eventually resorted to hopeful punts towards the front men. Their consolation goal was scored in the 87th minute when a Conor McCloskey cross was met by Allan Jenkins, who finished well.
The other Belfast derby between Glentoran and Crusaders went to extra-time after 90 minutes' action failed to produce a goal. David Cushley broke the deadlock in the 94th minute for Crusaders, when he struck from 18 yards.
Late in the second period of extra-time, Glentoran had no luck when a free-kick struck the crossbar and then the back of Crues keeper Michael Dougherty before being cleared. Two minutes later, Brandon Doyle made it 2-0 when he tapped home a Cushley assist after a defensive error. Glentoran pulled one back with the last kick of the game through Steven Gordon, as Stephen Baxter's side advanced 2-1.
In the night's other tie, the PSNI beat amateur league side Albert Foundry 3-0.
