It was a night to forget for Crusaders as nightmare defending and poor finishing saw them beaten 4-2 by Glenavon.
It was a quiet opening 10 minutes to the game and the first real chance went to Glenavon but Josh Robinson was on hand to make a good clearance. It was a cagey affair as both sides didn't do enough to get the upper hand on the other but it was Dean Ebbe who was guilty of a big miss when he shot wide with only the keeper to beat after 19 minutes. Glenavon then started to make their mark and when they did have a good effort on goal Johnny Tuffey made a spectacular reaction save to keep the score 0-0. Six minutes later though Glenavon went ahead when Peter Campbell controlled and shot from 18 yards past Johnny Tuffey after Crusaders defence failed to deal with a high ball in. Four minutes later it was 2-0 Glenavon. A ball into the box saw Matthew Fitzpatrick get his head on it just ahead of Johnny Tuffey and it was in the net and Glenavon had doubled the lead which thye kept to half time .
Crusaders came out the second half on fire and Philip Lowry scored on 48 minutes when he forced the ball over the line after Dean Ebbe initially had a shot saved but did well to get the follow up into the danger area for Lowry to finish. Crusaders though did themselves no favours and went two goals behind again just two minutes later. The defence went AWOL and Peter Campbell popped in front of the Crusaders with all the time in the world to shoot past Johnny Tuffey and the two goal lead was restored. Crusaders upped their game and had a penalty appeal turned down before Jude Winchesters cross just went by everyone and the Glenavons defence stood their ground twice as Crusaders defended extremely well. Johnny Tuffey made another decent save to deny Glenavon before Billy Joe Burns scored the goal of the night. A long throw in from Jordan Forsythe fell to the defender on the edge of the box and he calmly flicked the ball over a Glenavon players head before unleashing an unstoppable lob that reduced the lead to 3-2 to the home side. Crusaders did have the ball in the net on 79 minutes but Ross Clarkes effort was ruled out by the Asst Ref. Crusaders kept pressing but they where caught out with two minutes of the game left when a comedy of errors at the back saw Jarlath O'Rourkes header lob over Jonny Tuffey into the net and it was 4-2 Glenavon. That goal came late in the game and Crusaders could not come back and the game ended 4-2 to the home side.
So a bad night but training on Thursday night will get rid of those demons and the team will be ready to go again on Saturday against Newry City at Seaview (3pm)