Crusaders fought back from 2-1 today at Seaview before a Fraser Bryden serious injury and they eventually ran out 2-4 losers to a Larne side that had to fight for a win.
Larne started the stronger and late replacement Jonny Tuffey, who had to step in for Musa Dibaga after he pulled up in the warm up, made three great saves to keep Crusaders in the game. He was eventually beaten on 21 minutes when Tiarnan O'Connor scored from six yards from a Tomas Cosgrove cross. Larne went 2-0 ahead just after the half hour when Fraser Bryden or Jonny Tuffey got the last touch from a Larne corner. Crusaders got a lifeline on 38 minutes when they got a penalty. Jordan Forsythe's spot kick was saved by Rowan Ferguson but Harry Jewitt-White was first to react and scored from the rebound to leave it 2-1 to Larne at half time.
Crusaders came out determined in the second half and where rewarded with an equaliser on 57 minutes with a spectacular goal from Fraser Bryden. Winning the ball in midfield he sent it out wide to Thomas Maguire and his cross was met on the volley across the body by Fraser Bryden who sent his effort flying into the goal. 2-2 and Crusaders had rattled Larne but it was to change in an instant. Fraser Bryden again was in the mix but his effort somehow missed and in his attempt to score he connected with the post and hurt himself badly. A lengthy delay saw the striker stretchered off and straight to hospital and it also killed Crusaders momentum. Larne regrouped and went ahead again on 77 minutes when a battle between Leon Barr and Matthew Lusty to get to the ball first saw the Larne man win and poke the ball past Jonny Tuffey for 3-2. Larne made it 4-2 on 86 minutes when Paul O'Neill rose to head home and the game was over. 11 minutes of additional time saw no further score and Larne had won and stayed well ahead in the Sports Direct Premiership.
Defeat but all thoughts are with Fraser Bryden and hoping his injury is not as bad as it looked. Next up is a massive game against Ballymena United on Tuesday 10th February at the Ballymena Showgrounds.