Jordan Owens (90 3)



Jordan Owens celebrates his injury time winner (©INPHO/Stephen Hamilton)


Crusaders left it very late to grab the goal which earned all three points from Ards' visit to Seaview.

After a quiet opening Ards 'keeper Sam Johnston was called into action to make a double save midway through the first half.

First he was called upon to deal with a Paul Heatley effort from distance before getting a hand to Declan Caddell's follow-up to claw the ball to safety.

Indeed, Johnston went on to have an excellent game to frustrate the league leaders.

After the break he denied Jordan Owens, David Cushley and Billy Joe Burns while Gavin Whyte fired a later effort wide.

Then, close to the end of normal time, new Crues signing Jonny Bonner thought he had broken the deadlock only to fire just wide with Johnston beaten.

But Crusaders eventually got their hands on the points when, in stoppage time, Owens pounced to nod home the winner after connecting with a curling corner which had evaded the impressive Ards 'keeper.

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Crusaders: O'Neill, Burns, McChrystal, Beverland, Coates, Lowry, Cushley, Caddell, Owens, Heatley, Whyte subs Jensen (not used), Ward (replaced Cushley 64), Snoddy (not used), Glackin (replaced Heatley 85), Bonner (replaced Caddell 64)

Ards: Johnston, Glendinning, Elebert, Byers, Ruddy, Hanley, Tommons, L. Kelly, McAllister, Keke, McMillen subs Browne (replaced Keke 64), Frazer (replaced McMillen 60), Arthur (not used), McAleenan (not used), Neale (not used)

Referee: Ian McNabb

Attendance: 958

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Tags:  Ards  Crusaders