Crusaders 1, Ballymena United 0

Instead the Sky Blues will play their last five games of the season in the bottom six for the sixth consecutive season after losing in the Shore Road sunshine,

Ballymena boss Glenn Ferguson responded to the previous week’s defeat at Glentoran by making four changes to his starting line-up, the most high-profile seeing skipper Allan Jenkins drop to the bench.

After a slow opening, Jordan Owens flicked a header wide for Crusaders, while David Cushley’s mis-timed half-volley from a Stephen McBride cross skidded wide of the target.

As the first half continued to struggle to find rhythm, Paul Heatley used his searing pace to burst clear of the Ballymena defence but he shot wastefully wide of the near post with only Aaron Shanahan to beat.

Heatley’s next excursion in the penalty area saw him go to ground under a challenge from Johnny Taylor but referee Raymond Crangle’s interpretation was a yellow card for the Crusaders forward for simulation.

Ballymena wing-backs Stephen McBride and Jim Ervin both fired long-range efforts at Crues keeper Sean O’Neill, while the dangerous Heatley’s shot from an acute angle was deflected behind off Shanahan.

United wasted a glorious opportunity to take the lead within 31 seconds of the restart as Allan Jenkins’ perfectly-weighted pass sent Cushley clear but the Sky Blues’ top scorer fired wide with the outside of his right foot.

Another half-chance went a-begging on 57 minutes when David Magown’s attempted back-header fell short of O’Neill but Darren Boyce could only poke the ball wide as the keeper advanced quickly.

Those missed opportunities proved costly as Crusaders took the lead on the hour mark with a simple effort. A cross was hoisted into the Ballymena penalty area by Nathan Hanley and United’s players watched on as Declan Caddell’s headed knock-down was turned home by Eamon McAllister.

Ballymena’s response was positive with Johnny Taylor’s header from a Cushley free kick turned around the post by O’Neill.

At the other end, Aaron Shanahan kept the Sky Blues in the game with a crucial block from Heatley after he had side-stepped Davy Munster in the penalty area.

Ballymena continued to try to force an equaliser, with another Taylor header, this time straight into O’Neill’s grateful grasp.

United finished the game with 10 men after Taylor limped off with a hamstring injury after they had used their three subs.

Crusaders: O’Neill, Robinson, Magowan, Leeman, Hanley, E McAllister (sub Smith 74), Caddell, Clarke (sub McMaster 90+2), Morrow, Heatley, Owens, Subs (not used): McCutcheon, D McAllister, King.

Ballymena United: Shanahan, Ervin, Munster, Taylor, Stewart, Thompson (sub Jenkins 38), Taggart (sub Gawley 71), Surgenor (sub Davidson 68), McBride, Boyce, Cushley. Subs (not used): Teggart, Ruddy.

Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast).