Crues Retain Premiership Status With Shootout Win Over Annagh

Crusaders secured their Irish Premiership position for adjacent play aft a melodramatic punishment shootout triumph which sealed nan play-off triumph complete Annagh United.

Musa Dibaga was nan leader arsenic he saved 2 penalties to support nan Shore Road broadside up, pinch nan Crues winning 3-1 connected penalties aft nan play-off vanished 4-4 aft 210 minutes of football.

It didn't return agelong for nan visitors to deed nan front, arsenic Josh Williamson clumsily brought down Aaron Rogers wrong nan area giving referee Declan Hassan nary different action but to constituent to nan spot.

Donnelly stepped up from 12-yards and made nary mistake, dispatching of nan spot footwear contempt Dibaga diving nan correct way.

Dibaga was called into action midway done nan first half to contradict Donnelly from a 2nd extremity of nan evening, redeeming smartly to his near pursuing a cleanable streak from nan separator of nan container from nan extremity scorer.

Just earlier nan break, nan visitors were awarded a 2nd punishment of nan half arsenic Ryan Swan was brought down conscionable wrong nan area. Up stepped Donnelly again pinch Dibaga diving nan aforesaid way, this clip making a important prevention to support nan people 1-0 astatine nan break.

Just 8 minutes aft nan restart Annagh were 2 successful front. Craig Taylor's agelong throw-in caused havoc successful nan box, pinch Aaron Rogers rising highest to flick a header connected to Lee Upton who sewage connected nan extremity of it astatine afloat agelong to flick home.

The hosts sewage themselves backmost successful it successful nan 71st infinitesimal arsenic substitute Stewart Nixon fired location from wrong nan area aft nan shot fell kindly for him pursuing a Josh Williamson free-kick that nan Annagh defence grounded to clear.

With nan people astatine 4-4 crossed nan 2 legs, other clip was needed successful northbound Belfast. Both teams huffed and puffed but neither could find a victor meaning it was penalties that would yet determine nan result of nan melodramatic play-off.

Dibaga will return nan headlines aft he saved 2 penalties arsenic nan Crues sealed their endurance successful nan astir melodramatic of endings arsenic a emotion of alleviation could beryllium felt by Declan Caddell and everyone astatine Crusaders arsenic they stay an Irish Premiership club.