Crusaders and Ballymena leave it late in League Cup

It took late goals for both Crusaders and Ballymena to see them both through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup, alongside Cliftonville, Dungannon and Ards.

Ballinamallard held the Crues off and then struck with a go-ahead goal in the 65th minute from youngster Michael Glynn.

But Crusaders came back with an equaliser from Kyle Owens on 80 minutes, and Matthew Snoddy sealed the victory in the dying seconds.

For Ballymena, Jude Winchester proved the difference against Harland and Wolff Welders.

He struck in extra time to secure his side’s 1-0 win.

Meanwhile, holders Dungannon also needed extra time for their 3-2 win over Warrenpoint Town.

Jarlath O'Rourke scored to put the Swifts ahead late in the first half, but Philip Donnelly levelled up before the break.

Anto Reilly then scored an own goal, before Donnelly’s second of the evening for the Town forced the match into overtime.

And it fell to Seanan Clucas to score late on and send the Swifts through.

Cliftonville fought-off a spirited Carrick Rangers side that drew level after going 2-0 down.

Levi Ives fired a superb long-range free-kick into the top corner after 14 minutes to open the scoring for the Reds, and Joe Gormley added a second from the penalty spot just before the interval.

However, Daniel Kelly and Lloyd Anderson netted twice inside the final 15 minutes for Rangers to put themselves right back in it – only for Gormley to pop up with a late winner for the Solitude side.

Elsewhere, Ards cruised past Dergview 4-1 after a brace from Michael McClellan.

His opener was replied to by Garth Falconer’s equaliser for Dergview, but he struck again in the second half - this time from the penalty spot.

Ryan Strain and Kyle Cherry then also found the back of the net to seal the win for Ards.

Although three more ties will be played at the end of this month, the draw for the quarter-finals will go ahead on Saturday.