Irish Premiership: Crusaders stun Glentoran as Cliftonville extend lead

[Animous]

Crusaders stunned Glentoran 3-0 at the Oval to move ahead of their Belfast rivals into third place in the Irish Premiership table.

Cliftonville extended their lead with a 1-0 win over Warrenpoint Town and Coleraine go second with a 3-0 victory over Ballymena United in their first game on the Showgrounds' new 4G pitch.

Glenavon and Linfield ended 0-0 as both sides finished with 10 men.

Dungannon Swifts beat Portadown while Larne were held by Carrick Rangers.

Both sides showed plenty of attacking intent in the early stages at the Oval but it was Crusaders who took the lead on nine minutes when unfortunate Glentoran defender Caloan Marron turned Jarlath O'Rourke's cross into his own net when under pressure from Lecky.

Saturday's Irish Premiership action - as it happened

Robbie McDaid should have levelled for the Glens just after the half-hour mark but he fired over the top from eight yards when the ball fell to the unmarked striker from Jay Donnelly's knockdown, and Marron was forced to put in an important block on Josh Robinson's back-post effort as the Crues edged in front at the break.

The second-half burst into life when Paul Heatley was played clean through on goal but Aaron McCarey smothered the ball as the forward tried to round the home goalkeeper.

Crusaders go third with a 3-0 victory over the Glens at The Oval

Jonathan McMurray won a penalty on 55 minutes when he collided with Bobby Burns, and Ben Kennedy duly converted from the spot before Donnelly had a penalty appeal waved away minutes later at the other end when his strike hit the falling Robinson.

Daniel Larmour had a header disallowed on 63 minutes before Aidan Wilson scored a third for Stephen Baxter's side when he headed home from another corner five minuets later as Glentoran looked rattled.

Donnelly netted in Glentoran's bid to pull a goal back but he was swiftly flagged for offside as Crusaders' solid start to the season continued as they stood firm to take a clean sheet and a well-deserved three points.

Reds extend lead after Curran goal

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