The Sky Blues shocked their hosts as early as the fourth minute by taking the lead in rather fortuitous circumstances when Aaron Boyd's long range effort was fumbled into the goal by former United goalkeeper Sean O'Neill.

That lead only lasted for three minutes though as Jordan Owens found himself unmarked at the back post to level the scores from a Dallas cross and a David Rainey flick on.

Referee Raymond Crangle was at the centre of the first moment of controversy on 20 minutes when he awarded an indirect free-kick to Crusaders after he deemed Davy Munster's sliced clearance to be a backpass when goalkeeper Wayne Drummond lifted the ball much to an incensed United bench.

From the resulting free-kick, the Crues took the lead when Matty Hazley eventually found Jordan Owens again lurking at the back-post to tap home amidst a host of calls for offside from the Ballymena United players.

The Braidmen didn't give in though and forced O'Neill into a fine double save when McCutcheon and Boyd went close in quick succession and full-back Curtis Woods also went close when his cross-come-shot rattled the crossbar.

Captain Colin Coates added a third after Ballymena failed to clear their lines on 61 minutes when he found space to pick his spot and drill an effort out of the reach of Wayne Drummond to increase the lead for Stephen Baxter’s men.

United rallied and pulled a goal back on 73 minutes when Ally Teggart's corner was powerfully headed home by Davy Munster for his first goal for the Sky Blues.

Amazingly Roy Walkers' side had the chance to draw level three minutes later when substitute Chris Morrow held back United captain Allan Jenkins and Crangle pointed to the penalty spot. However, O'Neill redeemed himself for his earlier mistake when he saved well from Gary McCutcheon's penalty to prevent the equalizer and the Scotsman's potential fifteenth goal of the season.

Crusaders finished the game with ten men though as the volatile Coates was instantly sent off for an horrendous lunge at the feet of Ally Teggart on 79 minutes. Unfortunately the Sky Blues couldn't take advantage of the extra man and force an equalizer.