CLIFTONVILLE 1 CRUSADERS 0
CLIFTONVILLE took another significant step towards the Danske Bank Premiership title with a 1-0 victory over derby rivals Crusaders.
Substitute Joe Gormley bagged the only goal of the game in the 80th minute to claim a massive win for the Reds at Solitude.
The result sees Cliftonville extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to nine points - they also boast a game in hand.
It was Crusaders who enjoyed the better of a timid first half.
Gary McCutcheon had the ball in the back of the net in the 36th minute but was ruled out for offside after he pounced on Conor Devlin’s spill.
Colin Coates directed a header wide of the mark in the 41st minute as the visitors continued to waste chances.
Despite Crusaders continuing to create chances Cliftonville improved in the second period and got their winner 10 minutes from time.
There was a suspicion of offside as Gormley raced onto Barry Johnston’s flicked header, and the Reds striker made no mistake with a superb right foot finish.
CLIFTONVILLE: Devlin, McGovern, Scannell, Johnston, McMullan, Garrett, Donnelly (Gormley 69), O’Carroll (Lynch 90), Smyth, Catney, Boyce.
Subs not used: Seydak, Lynch, Cosgrove, O’Kane.
CRUSADERS: O’Neill, McKeown, Magowan, Coates, McClean (Rainey 84), Robinson, Caddell, McMaster (Watson 66), Heatley, Adamson, McCutcheon.
Subs not used: McBride, Leeman, Snoddy.
Referee: Raymond Hetherington
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