However it was the visitors who opened the scoring when, after 20 minutes, former Northern Ireland international Gerard McMahon unleashed a stunning 35-yard drive past Alan Mannus.

Linfield were back on level terms within six minutes, though, after Paul McAreavey finished off a move which saw Glenn Ferguson knock a Stephen Douglas ball into his path.

And ten minutes later the Blues edged in front. Visiting keeper Paul Rice did all the hard work in pushing out a Peter Thompson header but only as far as Tim Mouncey who promptly nodded home.

Then, eight minutes after the break, Ferguson made it 3-1 to the by now rampant Linfield with a clincally taken spot-kick awarded when Gavin McDonnell was adjudged to have handled a Douglas cross.

Three became four on 76 minutes thanks to a strong Aidan O'Kane volley following some indecision in the visiting penalty area.