Ballymena United 1, Crusaders 0

Ballymena United brought an end to Crusaders’ 24-game unbeaten run with a sensational victory at the Showgrounds.
Ballymenas David Cushley  in action with Crusaders Craig McClean
Photograph:Stephen Hamilton/Presseye.comBallymenas David Cushley  in action with Crusaders Craig McClean
Photograph:Stephen Hamilton/Presseye.com
Ballymenas David Cushley in action with Crusaders Craig McClean Photograph:Stephen Hamilton/Presseye.com

David Cushley scored his fourth goal of the week against the Crues as United avenged their midweek League Cup semi-final defeat by the same opponents.

In a brisk opening, Chris Morrow’s free kick hit the side netting with United keeper Dwayne Nelson scrambling across his goal.

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At the other end, David Cushley and Tony Kane - from a free kick - both had efforts narrowly over the bar while Allan Jenkins curled an effort off target after a weak punch from a corner by keeper Sean O’Neill.

The first half was largely restricted to long-range efforts with neither keeper seriously troubled, while Crusaders skipper Colin Coates glanced a header wide from a Morrow corner.

Ballymena continued to look dangerous and when an Aaron Stewart cross was headed down by Jenkins, defender David Munster’s volley was saved by O’Neill, who then recovered to grab the loose ball at the feet of the in-rushing Mark Surgenor.

United’s first half endeavours were rewarded with the opening goal a minute before half-time.

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Referee Mervyn Smyth deserves credit for playing a good advantage after Ally Teggart was fouled in the build-up and when the winger laid the ball off to Gary Thompson’s path, his cross-shot was delicately flicked past O’Neill by Cushley from just outside the six-yard box.

Crusaders almost got back on level terms six minutes into the second half when David McMaster’s cross from the right was headed wide by former Showgrounds favourite Gary McCutcheon.

Ballymena spurned a glorious chance to double their advantage on 73 minutes when Cushley outpaced Coates but he could only drill his low shot beyond the far post.

Substitute Neil Lowry teed up Cushley who sliced a shot wide while Crusaders sub David McAllister’s rising drive narrowly cleared the crossbar.

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It was the last chance for the Seaview side as they slumped to their first defeat since August - ironically also at the hands of Ballymena.

Ballymena United: Nelson, Kane, Munster, Taylor, Stewart, Surgenor (sub Davidson 85), Thompson (sub Lowry 68), Taggart, Cushley (sub Dolan 90+1), Jenkins, Teggart. Subs (not used): Liggett, Ruddy.

Crusaders: O’Neill, Magowan, Leeman, Coates, McClean, E McAllister (sub D McAllister 65), Morrow, Caddell, McMaster (sub Snoddy 80), McCutcheon (sub Cleary 85), Owens. Subs (not used): Hanley, Wray.

Referee: Mervyn Smyth (Holywood).