Irish Premiership: Ballinamallard Utd 1-1 Crusaders

Crusaders drop to fourth place in the Premiership after being held to a draw by Ballinamallard at Ferney Park.

John Currie volleyed in at the back post after meeting Johnny Lafferty's left-wing cross in the eighth minute.

Paul Heatley levelled after 59 minutes when he tucked the ball home from close range after Jordan Owens headed the ball down into his path.

Liam Martin had a shot saved by the outstretched leg of Sean O'Neill and Raymond Foy twice went close.

Substitute Foy was off-target with a header and then missed a glorious opportunity when caught in two minds when through on goal in the closing stages.

Lafferty set up the opening goal by beating three defenders and providing a superb cross for Currie to find the net with a neat finish.

The Crues had chances to equalise before the break when Heatley and Gavin Whyte tested Stefan McCusker, while Colin Coates blasted into the sidenetting.

Defender Billy Joe Burns was unable to convert a couple of opportunities in the second half.

Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter: "A draw was a fair result - we conceded early on but worked hard to get back into the game.

"We went in search of a winner but never really got a foothold in the game and couldn't build up any momentum."