Crusaders stole the points at Newry Showgrounds with a stoppage time winner against 10-man City side who had appeals for a penalty in the third minute of injury time waved away by the referee.
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Newry City 0 - 1 Crusaders
In what was a poor first half, chances were few and far between with referee Arnold Hunter seemingly intent on breaking play up with a number of very soft free-kick decisions.
City were the first to have an attempt on goal in the ninth minute when Stephen Garrett raced down the left hand side to latch onto Kevin Keegan's long throw.
The speedy striker outpaced Crues defender Johnny Magee before cutting into the box and poking a shot from a tight angle that Chris Keenan was able to beat out for a corner.
Garrett then blasted over from 15 yards after Chris Morgan had chested the ball down to him on 33 minutes.
Jordan Owens went closest for Stephen Baxter's side just before the half hour when he shot into the side netting from close range.
Six minutes before the break, David Rainey's left foot volley from a Martin Donnelly free kick was well held by Newry goalkeeper Neil Gallagher.
The home side were reduced to ten men just three minutes after the restart when Danny O'Connor, on his full debut, was sent off.
Having been booked on the half hour for fouling David Rainey, the defender tripped up Ryan McCann and received his second booking.
After Matt Hazley had forced Keenan into a diving save to his left with a 25-yard free-kick, Chris Morrow went close with a back post header from Martin Donnelly's cross on 64 minutes.
But Black came steaming in to poke home the winner in the 91st minute before Stephen Garrett looked to have been fouled in the area even deeper into added time but the referee said no penalty.
Newry City: Gallagher, King, R Black, Munster, O'Connor, Devlin (Henderson 57), McDonnell, Hazley, Keegan, Garrett, Morgan (Graham 83).Subs not used: Coleman, Davidson, J Black
Crusaders: Keenan, McBride, Magowan, Coates, McCann, Doherty (A Black 63), Rainey, Donnelly (Dickson 71), Morrow, Owens, Magee. Subs not used: McMaster, Collins, Hogg.
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