A late goal in injury time by Philip Lowry rescued a point for Crusaders against Glenavon tonight in a game that Crusaders dominated and had many chances to win.
Crusaders nearly scored in the first 20 seconds but Rory Brown was equal to Ross Clarke and the Glenavon keeper and his defence continued to keep Crusaders at bay throughout the first half. Paul Heatley had a shot saved on 9 minutes and moments later they had three chances to score in a few seconds and somehow Glenavon kept them out. Glenavon had two half chances before Crusaders where denied again twice in succession when Rory Brown saved from Gary Thompson and Dean Ebbe. Glenavon came back again and Sean Ward shot over before Jordan Forsythe made a super block to stop a goal bound effort. Josh Robinson had a good chance but headed directly at Brown again. Crusaders kept looking for that opening goal but just could not get the breakthrough and the best chance of the half came on 43 minutes when Dean Ebbe headed over the bar after a great ball by Ross Clarke. The last chance of the half fell to Eoin Bradley but Johnny Tuffey was equal to it and put it over the bar leaving it 0-0 at half time.
The second half started like the first and Paul Heatley cut in and shot but it went just wide. It was that man again Paul Heatley who got the next chance but it was Rory Brown again who saved on 53 minutes. A minute later Crusaders where hit with a sucker punch when Matthew Fitzpatrick got a shot away after the ball fell to him through a crowd of players and it went past Johnny Tuffey to put Glenavon ahead. Crusaders tried to hit back and Jude Winchester shot wide under pressure before Adam Lecky nearly scored a header with his first touch after coming on as sub on 60 minutes. Jude Winchester skimmed the post with a shot across goal and Adam lecky shot over as Crusaders looked for an equaliser. It finally came on 69 minutes when Jordan Forsythe made a run from box to box. When he crossed it went through the legs of Daniel Wallace and Paul Heatley made no mistake with his shot on goal that also gave him his 200th goal for the Club. Glenavon came back again and their lead was restored when Jamie Doran shot home after Josh Robinson was pushed in the box by Matthew Fitzpatrick who then got the ball to set up Doran. As time began to run out Jordan Forsythe hit the side netting and Dean Ebbe had a header that bounced off the top of the bar and away to safety. Deep in injury time Crusaders rescued a point. A Billy Joe Burns cross was brought down by Jordan Forsythe and Philip Lowry was left to steer it into the top corner to send the away support home with a point.
Crusaders now look forward to Coleraine this Saturday at Seaview in what will be an absolute cracker of a game.