The Crues needed just 80 seconds to storm into the lead when Aaron Black knocked on a long ball out of defence into the path of Mark Dickson who kept his composure to round John Connolly and fire into the empty net.

However, Cliftonville on 14 minutes through Mark Patterson. He pounced to turn home the loose ball after Crues 'keeper Aaron Kerr pushed out a Chris Scannell effort.

Crusaders regained the advantage ten minutes into the second half courtesy of a Dickson spot-kick after George McMullan was found guilty of pushing David Rainey.

But, once again, Cliftonville levelled within minutes. Crues substitute Chris Murray used his hand to deflect a 62nd minute Kieran O'Connor effort and from the subsequent penalty Patterson fired into the left corner to double his tally for the afternoon.

Cliftonville were then reduced to ten men on 85 minutes when referee David Malcolm showed Ronan Scannell a straight red card after he was adjudged to have brought down Dickson who was through on goal.

From the resultant free-kick Gareth McKeown swerved the ball past the helpless Connolly.

McKeown struck again with a stunning set piece five minutes later to seal Crusaders' victory.