Crusaders tonight drew 1-1 with Larne at Inver Park and although it was a point gained the team left disappointed that they didn't get all three and it would have been justified if they had. The fact that Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson was named Man Of The Match shows the way game was played out.
The game was minutes old when Crusaders created the first chance when Billy Joe Burns went close with a header. It was nip and tuck after that for ten minutes before Larne pushed at Crusaders but the defence stood strong with some great tackles from Jarlath O'Rourke and Daniel Larmour. Rohan Ferguson was called into action on 20 minutes when he made a good save from Adam Lecky who controlled and shot. Crusaders had a let off on 24 minutes when Lee Bonis shot over Johnny Tuffeys cross bar from a great position while minutes later Crusaders had a great counter attack but a Larne defender cleared for a corner. It was Larnes turn to get lucky from the corner as it was swung in hitting a Larne player on the back and crashing off the crossbar before being cleared. On 36 minutes Rohan Ferguson was in the right place at the time again when he could only palm Ben Kennedys rasping free kick away before the ball was cleared. Rory McKeown stopped Larne getting an opportunity to score when he headed the ball away with Lee Bonis lurking behind. The only other action before half time was a Daniel Larmour volley that he didn't really connect well with and it went wide leaving in goaless at half time.
The second half started quietly with Daniel Larmour going close with a header and a Larne penalty claim turned down being the highlight. Cain Bolger headed over when well placed before Johnny Tuffey showed his football skills with good foot work on the edge of the box as Larne threatened. Rohan Ferguson made another great save when he tipped Ben Kennedys 20 yard effort over the bar but his nest was to come. Larne made the breakthrough on 63 minutes. Rory McKeown was judged to have tugged a Larne players shirt and referee Jamie Robinson gave a free kick but faile to notice Rory McKeown was actually found seconds before it. Levi Ives stepped up the ball and his shot flew by Johnny Tuffey into the net and Larne led 1-0. Crusaders introduced Jordan Forsythe and this pushed Crusaders on although Johnny Tuffey did make another good save as Larne came at him. Rohan Ferguson then made two incredible saves from Paul Heatley when he managed to get his hands and chest to Paul Heatleys first shot before standing up on the line and somehow saving again much to the disbelief of everyone in the ground. Crusaders equalised on 80 minutes. A mix up in the Larne defence saw Ben Kennedy close the ball down quickly and he nipped in to put the ball in the net from a tight angle in front of the away support. Crusaders really went up a gear sensing they could take all the points but Larne where content to take the pressure. The Paul Heatley and Rohan Ferguson battle still had one twist. Paul Heatley collected the ball on the edge of the box and instantly turned and shot. The ball was dipping underneath the bar but Rohan Ferguson moved his feet and somehow tipped the ball over the bar much to the disbelief of everyone in the ground. From the corner a Billy Joe Burns header went straight to Ferguson. The final act in the game was a goalmouth scramble that Crusaders survived in time added on but on the whistle it was 1-1 and the points shared.
So a great game and a superb performance by Crusaders pushing them into 3rd place ahead of Cliftonville playing on Saturday. Next up it's Ballymena United at Seaview next Friday night (8pm) as the second cycle of games in the Sports Direct Premiership begins.