Crusaders took a major step towards protecting senior status by battling back from 2-0 down away to second-tier Annagh United for a vital 3-2 victory.

In the first-leg tussle at Tandragee Road the Championship runners-up moved clear by 2-0 before the Premiership visitors turned the tables and ultimately grabbed control in the final moments.

F-T: Annagh United 2 Crusaders 3 92: GOAL – Annagh United 2 Crusaders 3 (Maguire) Maguire climbs off the bench and on to the scoresheet with potentially the most important goal of Crusaders’ season

88: Late rally by Annagh results in a sight of goal worked by Redman but without the required finishing touch inside the area

placeholder image — Annagh United host Crusaders in the Premiership promotion/relegation play-off first leg. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

71: Barr's deflected effort clears the crossbar

66: Bryden once again a threat as he works space for a shot from a tight angle

60: Taylor fires goalwards from outside the crowded penalty area

57: Annagh - now on the back foot at 2-2 from 2-0 up - almost concede a third but the goalmouth scramble ends with the ball bundled wide of the post

54: GOAL - Annagh United 2 Crusaders 2 (Bryden)

Bryden makes his mark with a clinical finish to level the first leg – following a brief delay for the match officials to rule the ball had crossed the line

H-T: Annagh United 2 Crusaders 1

47: GOAL - Annagh United 2 Crusaders 1 (Dunlop)

Dunlop drives forward and steers home a low shot into the bottom corner beyond a diving Little

45: GOAL - Annagh United 2 (Upton) Crusaders 0

Annagh double the advantage as Upton gets the decisive touch off Taylor’s throw-in

35: Dunlop attacks down the right and fires goalwards from a tight angle that Little collects from under his bar

33: Taylor driving at goal, twisting and turning before firing in a left-foot drive that calls Dibaga into a low save

31: Taylor’s deep throw-in is met by Upton’s header but it drops just wide without a decisive back-post touch

29: McKechnie free-kick from distance but Little behind it for a comfortable save

23: GOAL - Annagh United 1 (Rogers) Crusaders 0

Attempt to clear the danger drops in the box for centre-back Rogers and he finds the net with a composed finish

12: Williamson free-kick from deep is met by a Barr header but off target under pressure in the box

Dunlop attacks and takes advantage of the time and space to drill home from the edge of the box

ANNAGH UNITED: Joel Little, Jack Henderson, Ryan Swan, Niall Henderson, Alberto Balde, Craig Taylor, Aaron Rogers, Lee Upton, Ross Redman, Eoin Teggart, Philip Donnelly.

Subs: Martin Marron, Kris Calvert, Conall Young, James Convie, Jude Johnson, Adetobi Jinadu.

CRUSADERS: Musa Dibaga Nimaga, Kurtis Forsythe, Keiran McKechnie, Harry Jewitt-White, Adam Brooks, Elliot Dunlop, Josh Williamson, Fraser Bryden, Cameron Bruce, Scot Rough, Lewis Barr.

Subs: Jonny Tuffey, Jacob Blaney, Finley Thorndike, Stewart Nixon, Oilibhear McCart, Thomas Maguire, Lloyd Anderson.

Referee: Shane McGonigle