Crusaders are top of the tree at Christmas as this 2-0 win, coupled with surprise defeats for Linfield and Glentoran, shot the north Belfast side to the top of the Carling Premiership.
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Crusaders 2 - 0 Lisburn Distillery
Meanwhile, life at the bottom of the league is still a frustrating experience for Lisburn Distillery who put up brave resistance before the Crues flexed their muscles after the break.
David Rainey's 17th goal of the season in the 58th minute rocked the Whites and Colin Coates sealed the victory with a second on 76 minutes.
Former Derry City skipper Eamon Doherty rattled the post with a fierce angled drive from eight yards and two minutes before the break, some frantic defending from the visitors foiled Crusaders again.
Rainey's shot was blocked on the line, Martin Donnelly pounced on the rebound but the defence got in the way again and David McMaster's deflected shot flew over the crossbar.
Surge
On 57 minutes Gary Thompson lifted a shot wide of the upright but seconds later Crusaders stormed in front.
Rainey powered home a volley from 12 yards past Matthews who was tricked by a deflection off Stuart Thompson.
On 76 minutes the Crues doubled their lead when the Whites failed to clear Donnelly's corner and Coates drilled the ball home from close range.
CRUSADERS: Keenan, McKeown, McBride, Magowan, Coates, McCann, Doherty, McMaster (Black 82), Rainey (Arthurs 73), Donnelly, Owens. Subs not used: Hogg, Martin, Magee.
LISBURN DISTILLERY: Matthews, S Thompson, McAlinden, McCrystal, McShane, Kingsberry (Melaugh 75), McCann, Kilmartin (Walsh 65), Gawley (Patton 65), G Thompson, Ferguson. Subs not used: Callaghan, Cooling.
Referee: Keith Halliday (Bangor).
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