Crues move seven points clear with home win

  • Crusaders 3-1 Ballinamallard United

Crusaders continued their relentless march to the league title with a 3-1 win over Ballinamallard United at Seaview on Monday night.

Stephen Baxter's side are now seven points clear of second placed Linfield, but they did not have things all their own way against the Mallards.

The visitors stunned the home fans by taking a 1-0 lead on 17 minutes through Shane McGinty and they held onto this advantage until the break.

However, the champions turned it around in the second half with striker Jordan Owens levelling matters on 57 minutes after latching onto a pass from David Cushley.

Man of the match Paul Heatley chipped in with two goals in five minutes to seal the points for the home side.

His first on 70 minutes was a glorious volley while the second was just as good and after that there was no way back for United who had given Baxter's men a real fright on the night.

Crusaders' Paul Heatley pictured after scoring his team's third goal during Monday's game at Seaview in Belfast. Credit: Pacemaker