Published Saturday, 14 November 2009
Crusaders 1 - 1 Glentoran
While the curtain was raised on the new artificial surface at the north-Belfast venue, the visitors knew they couldn't afford another slip-up in the title race.
Gary Hamilton's controversial penalty in the 29th minute fired the visitors in front but goalkeeper James Taylor was left red-faced when he let a long range effort from Jordan Owens bounce above his hands into the net on 54 minutes.
Under-fire boss Alan McDonald looked on from the stand as his side were often frustrated by some brilliant shot-stopping from Crues goalkeeper Chris Keenan.
On 29 minutes Crusaders skipper Colin Coates decided to waken up the crowd by sending Kyle Neill flying on the edge of the box. It was debatable whether the challenge was inside the area or not but the man whose opinion mattered, referee Mark Courtney, immediately pointed to the spot.
Gary Hamilton stepped up to coolly place the spot-kick beyond Keenan.
If the Crues felt they were unfortunate to concede the penalty, lady luck was certainly wearing red and black in the 54th minute when Stephen Baxter's side got back on level terms.
Forty yards from goal, Jordan Owens pounced on a poor clearance from Colin Nixon and directed a rather weak, speculative drive goalwards but on the new surface, his ambition was rewarded.
The ball took a wicked bounce off the pitch, goalkeeper Taylor failed to gather it and the ball rebounded off the post into the net.
Keenan then foiled Michael Halliday, Neill and Andy Waterworth to earn his side a point.
Crusaders: Keenan, McKeown, McBride, Morrow (Black 63), Magowan, Coates, McCann, Rainey (Dickson 63), Donnelly, Magee, Owens. Subs: Black, Melly, Arthurs, Hogg.
Glentoran: James Taylor, Nixon, Black, Johnny Taylor, Gillespie, Clarke, Fitzgerald (McCabe 72), Neill, Fordyce (Waterworth 85), Hamilton (Halliday 66), Leeman. Subs: Gibbons, Hall, Waterworth.
Referee: Mark Courtney (Dungannon)