Highlights: Glentoran 1-2 Crusaders

Glenn Kelly
BBC Sport NI contributor

Crusaders substitute Aaron Reid scored an 88th minute winner to secure a 2-1 win for Declan Caddell's side after a dogged display over Glentoran at the Oval.

Owen Wardell put the visitors in front in the first half, before Ben Gallagher equalised on 68 minutes.

It looked like the hosts looked more likely to score again, but it was at the other end where Reid finished to secure all three points for Crusaders.

While there will be smiles all around for Declan Caddell, whose side have now won their past three games, Declan Devine will be wondering how Glentoran lost after creating a raft of chances throughout.

Glens punished for not taking chances

With just two minutes on the clock the Glens threatened first when a long diagonal ball from right to left was headed back across goal by Joshua Daniels before Gallagher fired just wide.

On 18 minutes Daniels again was causing problems for the visitors when he crossed superbly from the left into the path of Ryan Cooney, who made a great run from deep, but he just couldn't quite get his toe on the ball, and it ran behind for a goal-kick.

Three minutes later, Josh Kelly looped in a cross from the right for the hosts that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar.

Gallagher then found himself free six-yards out, but his shot was miraculously cleared off the line by a sliding Graham Kelly in the Crusaders defence.

Wardell went close for the Crues soon after, but he couldn't hit the target when clear through on goal.

Back at the other end, Ross Clarke had the goal at his mercy from five yards, however, the winger failed to head towards goal and the ball was cleared.

Then, just two minutes before the break and against the run of play, Elliot Dunlop drove down the left and crossed from the bye-line and there was Wardell to tuck home at the back post.

Glentoran grabbed an equaliser just after the hour mark when substitute Joe Thomson gave the ball to Cooney down the right and his inch-perfect cross found Gallagher at the back post and he headed home much to the delight of the home fans at the Oval.

However, Crusaders were not done and, with two minutes remaining, substitute Reid rounded Billy Crellin at the left post before slotting home from an acute angle to grab all three points.

What the managers said

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell: "We knew what we were going to get coming to the Oval and playing Glentoran, they try to dominate possession, work us side to side and deliver balls int the box.

"I thought we were excellent at defending that, bar the goal we conceded, we fell asleep there.

"We had a good week prep, knew exactly what we were going to do and got the result."

Glentoran manager Declan Devine: "I'm really disappointed with what we served up today.

"I thought, you know, if that's a game that you're not going to win, then you certainly don't lose it.

"We've defended really poorly for the two goals. We also give them a couple of opportunities on the counter. We didn't do enough to win the match, and we certainly found a way to lose it."