Irish Premiership: Crusaders 1-2 Ballymena Utd

Ballymena United bounced back from their opening day hammering by Glenavon to take all three points at Seaview.

Crusaders, also beaten on the first day of the season, took the lead on 55 minutes when Timmy Adamson slotted in from Eamon McAllister's through ball.

Shane Dolan levelled with a deflected shot in the 77th minute.

Then Gary Liggett drilled in a superb, late left-foot shot from Alan Davidson's ball which gave recalled Crues keeper Sean O'Neill no chance.

After crashing 6-3 at home to Glenavon next week, this was a great result for the Sky Blues against a Belfast side who had not lost in 20 home league fixtures.

"It shows the players have character," said United manager Glenn Ferguson.

"Last week was a unique game in that we were punished for very mistake we made.

"And going 1-0 here against a side with a such a brilliant home record, it is not easy to come back but we dug in.

"We got a break with the first goal but the second was a superb finish and came at a great time with a just a couple of minutes left.

"We cannot live on this, though. We have to go out and put in another performance in our next match."