The Crusaders hitman struck in the 89th minute after Kyle Neill had seemingly put the home side on the road to victory 10 minutes earlier.

Stephen Baxter's side remain unbeaten in the new JJB Sports Premiership but the chorus of boos which rang out at the final whistle told the tale of the Glens' stuttering start as Alan McDonald's hotly-tipped Irish League aristocrats still search for their first league win.

The Hatchetmen were quickly out of the traps with Rainey weaving his way through the defence to find a good shooting position just outside the box but he blazed over.

Glentoran however were quickly into their stride and looked dangerous with Gary Hamilton orchestrating affairs with a few deft back-heels to prompt his colleagues.

In the 14th minute, Glentoran were almost in front when under pressure Crues' keeper Aaron Kerr dropped the ball at the edge of the box but Daryl Fordyce squandered the opportunity, shooting wide of the empty goal.

The Crues also had their moments and a strong header from Aaron Black, who got both their goals against Glenavon on Saturday, was well caught by Elliott Morris.

The Crusaders defence, marshalled by skipper Colin Coates, were proving a formidable obstacle before, just after the half hour, Neill forced hesitancy in the box with a wicked cross, forcing left-back Stephen McBride to chest the ball behind for a corner which came to nothing.

Then the roving Hamilton, operating this time on the left, crossed to Darren Boyce on the far side of the box but his shot was wide of the post.

In a neat Crusaders move towards the end of the first half, ex-Linfield number nine Mark Dickson was presented with a scoring opportunity in a promising central position on the edge of the box but, like Rainey before him, blazed over.

Glentoran emerged after the break in determined fashion and the home side won a free kick 25 yards out in the centre of the park but Hamilton's dipping shot was well saved by Kerr who also denied Boyce who had been picked out by the industrious but increasingly frustrated Hamilton.

Hamilton almost broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute but his shot hit the post and was cleared by the defence. Back came Crusaders and after gaining a corner on the right the ball broke for the unmarked Rainey on the left edge of the box but he held his head in his hands as he watched his rising drive soar over the crossbar.

But just as it seemed the game was destined for a scoreless draw with 10 minutes left, Glentoran were awarded yet another free-kick.