Ex-Crues men get Limavady off the mark at Seaview

Limavady United are finally up and running upon their return to the Irish Premiership at the fifth attempt after a gritty 2-1 win against Crusaders at Seaview on Saturday. Following four successive defeats to start the season, last season's Championship winners got their first three points of the campaign, courtesy of goals from two former Crusaders men in Philip Lowry and Jamie McGonigle. Elliot Dunlop's late stunner set up a nervy finish for the Roesiders, but they held on for their first top flight win at Seaview since 16 December 2006. The result lifts them up to 10th in the table and the two goals they managed in the win was double the tally they produced in their opening four games. So, with fellow strugglers Bangor to come on Tuesday, can this be the springboard Limavady needed to kickstart their fight for survival? Limavady secure first win away at Crusaders Top flight return 'massive learning curve' for Limavady Stephen Lowry was on the scoresheet in that Limavady win over Crusaders 20 years ago, and while he lined up in midfield again on Saturday, it was younger brother Philip who took the plaudits this time around with his goal. As he did so often during his trophy-laden spell with the Crues, the veteran midfielder arrived in perfect time in the box to latch onto the lively Alfie Gaston's cross and guide the ball into the far corner. It was a "textbook" finish according to Lowry, who then turned provider for their second as he swept the ball into the path of McGonigle and the on-loan Coleraine man did the rest, holding off his marker before poking in against his former side. There was little they could do about Dunlop's goal and the Paul Owens' team rode their luck as Jewitt-White rattled the crossbar late on as the Crues searched desperately for an equaliser, but they managed to hold on for a valuable win. Limavady have had a "real tough" start to the season fixture wise and losing to Glentoran, Carrick Rangers, Linfield and Dungannon Swifts is not much of a surprise, but Lowry was delighted they could finally get off the mark at Seaview. "I feel we've been right there in most of the games we've played, but everything came together for us today and we ran out deserved winners," he told BBC Sportsound. "The Irish Premiership is a massive learning curve for players who haven't sampled it before, you don't get a break. In the Championship you can maybe miss a chance or concede a chance but you can't here, you get punished. "We were right in every game, but today scoring first was what we really wanted to do and what we did and you could see the confidence flowing after that." McGonigle gives Roesiders 'different dimension' Limavady will need all the experience of the Lowry brothers to retain their place in the Irish Premiership, but they will need help and two players that impressed in Owens' team victory in north Belfast may just provide that. First there is Gaston, the 18-year-old winger who assisted Lowry's opener and is back on loan at the club from Coleraine after thriving in their Championship-winning campaign last year. "He's an unbelievable young talent and we're lucky Coleraine have let us have him for part of the season, he was great last year in the Championship and he's a massive future ahead of him. He was a joy to watch," Lowry said. Then there is McGonigle, who, if they can get fit and firing, could be the difference maker. The 30-year-old arrived at the Showgrounds late in the window on a season-long loan after a short spell at Sligo Rovers and has hit the ground running for his new side. Given his previous goal scoring exploits in the league with Coleraine and the Crues, Lowry believes his arrival at the club is a coup. "Jamie coming in gives us a different dimension and he was brilliant today as well. The good thing about Jamie is he is coming with a point to prove," Lowry added. "He's had a few seasons where he has been injury prone and needs a run of games. His record speaks for itself, nine times out of 10 on his right foot he scores and we're going to need him moving forward." As mentioned, Limavady have Bangor up next at home on Tuesday and basement side Portadown away in three weeks time. Those are the games they simply need to win if they are to give themselves a chance of staying up, with Lowry saying as much when analysing how things look at the bottom of the table. "The way we look at it, it's a four team league; us, Bangor, Portadown and Crusaders, even though they have had a good start. "Whoever wins that four team league will be safe and Bangor at home, these are the games we need to win and kick on."