Crusaders ease past 10-man Dungannon

Irish Premiership Crusaders 3 - 0 Dungannon Swifts FT Crusaders got back to winning ways as second half goals from Robbie Weir, Scot Rough and Lloyd Anderson secured the points against 10-man Dungannon Swifts at Seaview. The Crues carved out the better chances in a largely forgettable first half before, after the restart, Declan Dunne was given his marching orders for a high challenge on Owen Wardell on 67 minutes. The home side took advantage with Weir able to head the hosts in front before they scored again on 87 minutes as Rough nodded in Elliot Dunlop's deep cross. Deep into stoppage time, Anderson latched onto a poor clearance by Henderson to find the net from the edge of the box to complete a good night's work by Crusaders. Impressive second-half display from Crues seals three points The hosts started brightly as Dunlop forced Dunne into action on seven minutes, with the Swifts stopper blocking the close-range effort with his feet. Dunne was certainly the busier of the two keepers in the early stages and was forced to field a Wardell effort on 15 minutes. Wardell was certainly providing a real attacking threat for Crusaders, and he was inches away again on 29 minutes as he found space before curling an effort wide of the far post. The Swifts were struggling to impose themselves in the final third with Adam Glenny's cross, which dropped just wide of the back post on 37 minutes, the closest they came in the first half. The visitors came out for the second half with their manager's words ringing in their ears, and they should have edged in front three minutes after the restart as Leo Alves picked out Gael Bigirimana inside the six-yard box, but the captain headed over with the goal at his mercy. Alves then tried his luck from outside the box with Shea Callister pushing his shot away for a corner before the Portuguese drilled a low ball across the face of the Crusaders goal which was just begging to be fired home. There was a massive talking point on 67 minutes as the Swifts were reduced to 10-men after Dunne was giving his marching orders for catching Wardell with a high challenge. Referee Declan Hassan consulted with his assistant before showing the keeper a straight red with Alex Henderson coming on in goal as Alves made way. The hosts made their extra man count inside seven minutes as Weir got on the end of a short corner routine between Wardell and Dunlop to head into the far corner. The Swifts tried to muster a response but another short corner routine with three minutes to go saw Rough rise highest to head home the second. Crusaders weren't done just yet as with the last kick of the game Anderson fired home from the edge of the box after Henderson miscued his clearance.