Crusaders leapfrogged Glentoran in the Sports Direct Premiership today with a well deserved 1-0 win over leader Larne at Inver Park. A Stewart Nixon goal with eight minutes left saw Crusaders over the line but it was the manner of the win that will please Stephen Baxter more than anything.
The first half was practically a non event with a very nervous Larne side not able to cause Crusaders any problems. There was very little to report and it wasn't until the 28th minute of the game the first action of note happened when Andy Ryan headed over. Larne upped the tempo slightly and Daniel Larmour did well to clear and again the Crusaders defence dealt with pressure shortly before half time. A Ben Kennedy free kick caused all sorts of problems in the Larne defence and Crusaders could of scored but Lewis Barrs touch across the goalmouth was scrambled away leaving it 0-0 at the break.
The second half was much better and it started with Lewis Barr and some heroic defending to stop Larne. Larne arguably should have taken the lead on 54 minutes but Lee Bonis got it all wrong and failed to put the ball away. Crusaders countered from the miss and went close themselves but it remained 0-0. Stewart Nixon replaced Jay Boyd just before the hour and this would prove fruitful later in the game. Crusaders nearly went ahead on 66 minutes but Miceal Glynn saved Larne with a last ditch tackle and Daniel Larmour was quick in Crusaders defence as Larne countered and he was on hand to clear. Crusaders nearly got the opener on 68 minutes when Stewart Nixon went on a good run but his eventual shot was well saved by Rohan Ferguson. Jordan Owens who had just come on for Adam Lecky flashed a header wide on 74 minutes while Ben Kennedy just could not connect properly with a volley to trouble the Larne net. It was Ben Kennedy again who just couldn't reach a Ross Clarke free kick as Crusaders whwre well on top a this stage with 10 minutes to go. On 82 minutes Jordan Forsythe shot from distance and Rohan Ferguson could only tip the ball over for a corner. From the corner though Crusaders scored when Stewart Nixon got the final touch on a Lewis Barr flick and it sent the travelling support wild behind the goal and Crusaders one ahead. Jarlath O'Rourke did well in defence to keep Crusaders ahead while Ben Kennedy shot wide in time added on. It came as bbeautiful sound when the refereee finally blew his whistle and Crusaders had beaten Larne and moved to fourth.
So three points in our quest to get fourth spot and now attention turns to Friday night and the visit of Linfield to Seaview (7.45pm) as we move to do it all again and win another three points.