Irish Premiership: Crusaders 2-0 Warrenpoint Town

Two Paul Heatley goals helped move Crusaders back to second place in the Premiership table as they accounted for 10-man Warrenpoint Town at Seaview.

Struggling Town had the best first-half chance as Crues keeper Sean O'Neill saved a Darren King half volley.

However as the Crues improved, Heatley hammered to the net on 64 minutes.

Warrenpoint's Stephen Moan was sent off on 70 minutes after a two-footed challenge and Heatley doubled the Crues lead eight minutes from time.

The game started off amid torrential rain and the Premiership strugglers almost took the lead on three minutes as King's effort was tipped over by O'Neill.

With the Crues being frustrated by a well-organised Warrenpoint, the home team's first decent effort didn't come until the 24th minute as keeper Johnny Parr saved a Gary McCutcheon shot.

However, Crusaders improved after the break and Heatley broke the deadlock on 64 minutes as he hammered to the roof of the net after being played in by Morrow.

Warrenpoint's chances of getting anything from the game suffered a hammer blow on 70 minutes as Moan was dismissed after sliding in on Heatley.

The challenge resulted in a mini flare-up and after order was restored, Moan received his red card.

With Warrenpoint's game plan in tatters, Heatley sealed the Crusaders win with his second goal eight minutes from time.

The win moves Crusaders back to second place in the table although they are four points adrift of leaders Linfield while Warrenpoint remain level on points with bottom club Ards after this weekend's action.