'We probably would have folded at the start of the season': Declan Caddell focuses on positives with young Crusaders side learning lessons

Jarlath O’Rourke put the Crues ahead before Kian Corbally levelled proceedings for the hosts, but Caddell’s men responded quickly through Finley Thorndike.

With three minutes left of normal time, Ballymena substitute Danny Lafferty fired home a wicked effort from distance to salvage a late point in a thrilling contest at The Showgrounds.

Here’s what Caddell said after the match:

HOW DO YOU REFLECT ON THAT? A REAL THRILLER

"It was for the neutral! It was credit to both teams, both sets of players left everything on the pitch.

"A draw was probably a fair result. Ballymena had a load of opportunities, so did we, it could have ended up 5-5 or 6-6.

"Credit goes to the players. Obviously it's sore to take when you concede with three or four minutes to go, but credit to the players – they dug in and defended really, really well.

"It takes a wee bit of magic from Laff to settle it from 25 yards...you've just got to take it and move on.”

DEFENCE PUT THEIR BODIES ON THE LINE?

"That's what we've been crying out for.

"When you look back at the start of the season, if we were in that same scenario, we probably would have folded, which shows the young lads are learning.

"I just thought we were probably hemmed in a wee bit too much the second half. We didn't want to get our foot on the ball, although it was difficult.

"The pitch was really difficult for both teams today. But they defended bravely. They put their bodies on the line, worked extremely hard and that's all you can ask for.”

HOW DIFFICULT WAS THE PITCH? JUST HAVE TO GET ON WITH IT?

"Yeah, you do, and you have to add that little string to your bow, don't you?

"This is a difficult place to come. We've seen already this season the results Ballymena have picked up here, especially at the start of the season.

"We always knew it was going to be difficult. The pitch didn't help both sides, but you have to adapt to the elements, adapt to the surface and look to get a result. But as I say, it's credit to both sides, the players, because they left everything on that pitch.”

FINLEY SCORES ON HIS FIRST START IN A WHILE – THAT WILL GIVE HIM CONFIDENCE?

"Yeah it will. We're trying to ease him in, he missed two months of football.

"You have that experience coming back onto the pitch to manage a game too with Jordan Forsythe when you're 2-1 up...I thought we did for parts. It's all positive, you've just got to move on to the next one.”

SQUAD LOOKING IN A HEALTHIER POSITION NOW?

"There's five or six still more to come, which is good.

"Obviously Stewart Nixon's on the bench, he's still not where he should be, same with Jacob Blaney, same with Jordan, but I just want to feed these boys in gently, because we can't afford any more injuries.

"So we've just got to nurse them back to where they should be, and that'll take a few weeks. But listen, there’s still a lot to play for this season.”