DUNDALK eased their relegation worries yesterday when Mick Doohan produced an inspirational strike against Home Farm/Everton to give newly appointed boss, Eddie May, something to smile about at Whitehall.

Dundalk struggled for long periods to get past a stubborn Home Farm defence with Joe Hanrahan and Joe Gallen having a frustrating time up front. Hanrahan, however, was eventually replaced by Peter Withnell.

Almost immediately after the substitution things took a turn for the better with Gallen forcing Robert Forde to tip his shot from the edge of the box onto the crossbar.

Moments later, the visitors secured the vital three points when a free on the right from Raymond Campbell arrive to Doohan who, with his back to goal, turned and volleyed past the helpless Forde.

It was too much for Home Farm manager Dermot Keely who was dismissed from the dug out in the closing stages following a heated exchange with an official.

Home Farm's best chance came just after the break when substitute Mark Gill fed off a Brendan Place flick on to shoot from close range, but goalkeeper Les Fridge proved alert to the danger.

. The Irish League Premier Division championship has been more or less been reduced to a two horse race. Glenavon and Linfield, both beaten on Saturday, have virtually dropped out of the reckoning, leaving leaders Coleraine and second placed Crusaders to battle it out.

Crusaders narrowed the gap on Coleraine to three points with a 2-1 victory over Glenavon at Mourneview Park thanks to two goals from Stephen Baxter. But it was a story of controversy and penalties, all three were awarded to Ards, as Coleraine were held to a 3-3 draw at Castlereagh Park.

Linfield, demoted to fourth place on goal difference, were beaten 2-0 by Portadown, the reigning champions, at Windsor Park.