Crusaders 3-2 Ballymena United

Paul Heatley's double sent Crusaders on their way to a 3-2 win over Ballymena United in a pulsating game at Seaview in the Danske Bank Premiership.

It's a result that saw the Sky Blues surrender their place at the summit, and a reminder of the title credentials of the defending champions.

The home side took the lead in the 6th minute when Philip Lowry’s raking cross field pass was met first time by Heatley as it dropped over his shoulder, the winger catching the ball perfectly with his left foot to guide it beyond Ross Glendinning from close range.

With 25 minutes played, Jude Winchester pulled Ballymena level with his 4th goal of the season. He timed his run perfectly to latch onto Cathair Friel’s cross and slide between Crusaders defenders to tap home from close range.

It took only 4 minutes for the Crues to restore their advantage as Billy Joe Burns’ free kick flew all the way through to Kyle Owens, and the former Ballymena defender took a touch before lashing in a neat low finish from a tight angle.

Ballymena were improved in the second half as they hunted an equaliser, and it was the timing of their second goal that was crucial.

A minute after Jordan Owens had appeals for a Crusaders penalty waved away, Stephen McCullough fired his side level. The wing-back controlled Friel’s cross before lashing the ball past O’Neill from 15 yards just after the hour.

It sparked Crusaders back into life, and Heatley soon curled a 20 yard shot into the bar with the keeper a spectator. That effort proved to be a sign of things to come, and it was the Crues talisman who scored the winner with 86 minutes played.

Heatley collected David Cushley's incisive pass to race in behind the defence and leave blue shirts in his wake, before rounding the keeper and shooting from inside the box. Jim Ervin flew in with a tackle to block the shot, but it looped high into the net to secure the points for the home side.