Crusaders went “toe to toe” with Sports Direct Premiership Champions Larne at Inver Park and came home with a hard earned point but also disappointed they didn't have all three points in a game they could and maybe should have won. Declan Caddell felt his side had done enough with a delightful Kieran Offord goal and even after Larne equalised his side had chances to win.
Larne started lively and Paul O'Neill headed over after a few minutes Larne tried to get a hold in the game but Crusaders defence stood strong and indeed had the upper hand all game. Johnny Tuffey saved a free kick from Andy Ryan easily after 13 minutes and a second free kick from the same spot 11 minutes later took several deflections but again Johnny Tuffey was up to the shot and cleared with his legs. Kieran Offord was booked for simulation in the box when it clearly looked a penalty on the half hour mark but both sides could not get a clear effort on goal and the half ended 0-0.
Crusaders came out the second half and looked in the mood to do something big. It was Larne though who went closest in the half when Sean Graham put a shot across goal and it went wide of Johnny Tuffeys goal. Crusaders went ahead on 55 minutes when a mistake by Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson fell to Kieran Offord. Kieran pulled the ball back turned and curled his long range effort from over 30 yards over Ferguson and two defenders before is nestled in the net and Crusaders where 1-0 ahead. Kieran took the applause in his stride and celebrated by giving his young sister and his mum a hug and kiss as they ran down to the front of the Crusaders supporters to see him. Larne responded by putting extra strikers on and it payed off with 10 minutes to go. Jimmy Callacher had gone down injured in his own penalty area and had to come to the side of the pitch as the game restarted with a drop ball to Larne. A man down proved costly as the dropped ball was crossed in and iot fell kindly to Benji Magee who shot through a crowd to equalise. As 4 minutes of time added on began Crusaders could have won it. Kieran Offord did very well to catch a long ball and as he ran in from the edge of the pitch he had three options but his low cross was cut out. Larne then had a very late chance but Johnny Tuffey made a superb save with his legs as Andy Ryan shot. and the action finished seconds later leaving the result 1-1 and a point each,
So Crusaders draw for the second time this season and sit in fifth place in the Premiership table after the other scores came in. Attention now turns to a good week of training and a game on Saturday when Ballymena Utd come to Seaview to play next.