Glenavon beat Crusaders at Seaview

• Crusaders 2 – 3 Glenavon

A blistering first-half saw Glenavon come away from Seaview with a win over Crusaders on Saturday.

It was an explosive start as Glenavon stunned their visitors when Reece Marshall drove at the Crues defence.

The ball broke to Mark Sykes who drove it into the far corner of the net from 15 yards out.

On 11 minutes, Crusaders were level though - Paul Heatley with a well-taken strike made it 1-1.

He drifted wide of his markers, cutting in from the wing and thumping one into the top corner - his 100th league goal for the Shore Road men.

Then Mark Griffin pounced to score the Lurgan Blues’ second goal of the afternoon and restore their lead.

Heatley continued to show ingenuity and was unlucky not to score another special goal on 21 minutes - his volley on the turn going over from 25 yards.

Glenavon then struck a third before the half-hour mark to leave the home side reeling - Andrew Mitchell scoring.

David Cushley pulled one back right at the death, but it was too late for the Crues to snatch anything.