Crusaders remain third in the NIFL Premiership table after wearing down the resistance of a stubborn Ballinamallard United to earn a 2-0 win on Friday night.

A second-half brace from susbtitute Matthew Snoddy did it for the Crues, who had been frustrated throughout by a heroic performance from ex-Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Richard Brush.

Brush made a string of saves in the first half, denying Mark McChrystal,and pulling off a stunning save to keep out Gavin Whyte's deflected effort.

Ross Taheny was fortunate to see the ball rebound off the post after he'd gotten a toe to Declan Caddell's shot, while Jordan Forsythe's chip beat the keeper but not the post.

Crusaders finally made the breakthrough 20 minutes into the second half when Snoddy flicked Billy Joe Burns' cross past the helpless Brush.

It took until the final minute of normal time for Crues to wrap up the win, Snoddy firing home emphatically following a killer through ball from Paul Heatley.