It was a big night at the top end of the Playr-Fit Championship as HW Welders, Annagh United and Ards all picked up important victories on the road.

HW Welders closed the gap on leaders Bangor with a thumping victory at Clandeboye Park.

Josh Kee opened the scoring for the visitors a minute from the break after getting past Robert Garrett and sending a strong effort into the bottom right corner from outside the box.

The Welders doubled their advantage early in the second half after Lewis Patterson connected with a corner to tap home from close range, with David Parkhouse adding a third on the hour when he got in behind the defence to smash the ball past Patrick Solis Grogan.

Michael McLellan then made it 4-0 with just over 20 minutes, and although Bangor did pull one back moments later when Ben Cushnie converted from the spot there was no way back for the Seasiders.

Stephen Murray scored the only goal of the game as Annagh United defeated Dundela at Wilgar Park.

The visitors might have moved in front after a quarter-of-an-hour when a Murray free-kick was tipped onto the post by keeper Ryan Kerr, who then blocked Philip Donnelly's follow up.

However Murray went one better on 26 minutes with a glancing header home at the near post after Jack Henderson sent over a corner from the left.

Ards made sure of their place in the top six after the split with victory over Institute at the Brandywell.

Darius Roohi edged the visitors in front after ten minutes with a near post header after Connor Maxwell sent a corner over from the right.

'Stute levelled on 18 minutes through Padraig Lynch after he had linked up with Aidan Hegarty before, just after the half-hour mark, Mikhail Kennedy nodded the home side in front after receiving the ball from Caoimhin Porter.

John Bailie's side equalised four minutes into the second half when Eamon Scannell pounced on the loose ball after Fintan Doherty had pushed it out at the near post, and the same player bagged what proved to be the winner just after the hour with the faintest of touches from another cross into the area.