Crusaders 3-1 Ballinamallard
Two superb goals from Paul Heatley capped a Crusaders comeback as they beat Ballinamallard 3-1 at Seaview.
A spectacular volley and a neat finish after some sublime dribbling helped the champions restore their 7 point lead over Linfield at the top of the table.
The home side dominated the opening minutes with a couple of decent chances falling to Gavin Whyte, but he couldn’t convert.
The opener came against the run of play in the 17th minute as Ballinamallard took the lead.
Alan Keane tried to play the ball out of defence but clumsily lost possession to Ryan Curran. Ryan Mayse then slipped in Shane McGinty whose low shot crept into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Crusaders dominated possession but struggled to create clear cut chances. One highlight saw a first time cross-field pass from Billy Joe Burns play in Paul Heatley, but his effort was smothered by the keeper Richard Brush.
Just before the break there was another chance for Whyte who struck from distance after a Richard Clarke layoff from a free kick, and it took a flying save from Brush to tip it wide for a corner.
Crusaders made 2 changes as they tried to find a way back into the game, and 10 minutes into the second half Jordan Forsythe replaced Richard Clarke and David Cushley came on for Michael Carvill.
It took just 2 minutes for Cushley to create the equalizer. He swept in a dangerous looking cross from the left and Jordan Owens was on hand to bundle it home at the back post.
With 70 minutes played, a sublime piece of skill by Paul Heatley put the champions ahead. Owens flicked it forward, and from just inside the box Heatley caught it first time with a dipping volley on the turn which flew over Brush into the far corner.
Just 4 minutes later, Heatley scored his second of the night. Cushley found him in the box, and he danced past a few Ballinamallard defenders before casually lifting the ball over Brush to put the game beyond doubt.
Crusaders' next game sees them travel to Coleraine on Saturday.