Release Date: Jan 05, 2013

CRUSADERS closed he gap on leaders Cliftonville to three points with this thrilling defeat of Glenavon at Mourneview Park.

The Reds have two games in hand but Crues boss Stephen Baxter will be delighted at how his team twice came from behind to claim the points.

Glenavon moved into the lead after 13 minutes when Mark Haughey got his head to a Gary Hamilton free-kick from the left.

Crusaders levelled on 31 minutes through Gary McCutcheon after Jordan Owens had flicked on a long Gareth McKeown throw-in.

However, the Lurgan Blues regained the advantage three minutes later following a Ciaran Martyn close range poke from a Guy Bates ball.

But back came the Crues four minutes from the break with a Paul Heatley drive through a crowded goalmouth after Andy Coleman could only partially clear a McKeown delivery.

The Crues were twice thwarted by the woodwork early in the second half.

On 50 minutes McCutcheon squared the ball for Heatley only for his shot to strike an upright before, moments later, a Matthew Snoddy attempt connected with the crossbar.

The visitors did seize the advantage on 65 minutes courtesy of a Declan Caddell back post header from another McKeown right-sided cross.

And they almost grabbed a fourth right at the end of normal time when substitute David Rainey turned a curling effort onto the bar.

Match statistics