The Reds are now three points clear of the chasing pack on the back of a blistering run which has so far produced nine consecutive league victories.

Despite the eventual outcome struggling Institute might have taken an early lead through Ruairi Boyle when he fired narrowly over from 18 yards while, moments from the break, a David McClements delivery was knocked on by Thomas Wray only for Joe McCready to just miss making a connection.

Cliftonville grabbed the advantage ten minutes into the second half when Chris Scannell outpaced David Ogilby to touch the ball past Gavin Cullen.

They made it 2-0 eight minutes later after 'Stute defender Eamon Seydak headed past his own 'keeper after attempting to play back a Cullen save from a Kieran O'Connor header.

And it was 3-0 on 83 minutes after Ciaran Donaghy got the final touch as the ball bounced around the goalmouth before Seydak redeemed himself slightly with a well taken free-kick four minutes from time.

However, the Reds restored their three goal cushion within sixty seconds when O'Connor got his head to a Ronan Scannell cross to complete the scoring.