Post-match reaction from the two teams

You must be delighted to be in the title race?

“A lot of our players haven’t been involved in a title race and the biggest job all day and continually is to make sure we take care of our business.

“As much as we have sat, waited and hoped for Crusaders to drop points in the last few weeks, it was driven into the players that we must not let the gap exceed five points and that the next swing must come in our direction.

“Credit to the players because it’s been a long patient wait and they have hung in there and won games with Crusaders continually winning.”

Thoughts on the performance?

“With us having no game in two weeks it can sometimes leave you a little disjointed.

“It’s nice to be playing in a routine of Saturday, Saturday, Saturday and so on, but when you get a break in that, it isn’t ideal.

“From that point of view, I thought it did take us a while to get up and running, but I thought we were very strong in the second-half.”

Are you looking forward to the Irish Cup tie?

“Tuesday is big game for both sides.

“I’m sure Glentoran have their own agenda and a lot has been made about Ronnie McFall and all that goes with that.

“But we have spoken in the changing room, especially when the cup games come around, as a club and group that we feel we have unfinished business in the Irish Cup.”

Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey:

What did you make of your side’s performance?

“I can’t fault the effort and the commitment of my players. The first goal was from a poor clearance the second took a wicked deflection. These are trying and testing times and there are things over which we have no control.”

You next face Larne next?

“We will see on Monday night who is fit and we will prepare the team.

“It is a game that Larne think they can win so we have to be ready for the challenge.”