Crusaders beat Bangor after Wardell's late strike

Irish Premiership Crusaders 2 - 1 Bangor FT Owen Wardell's late stunning strike was enough to see Crusaders overcome Bangor 2-1 at Seaview. The breakthrough arrived in the 16th minute when Aaron Reid steered Crusaders into the lead at the near post, finishing off a flowing move down the left. Bangor responded strongly after the interval and equalised through Ben Arthurs, who rose highest to nod in a deflected effort, before Wardell settled the contest seven minutes from time with a stunning strike that crashed in off the post. The result means the Crues have now taken 12 points from 15 at home this season, while Bangor will hope to bounce back when they host Coleraine next. Crues impressive home form continues After a cagey opening quarter of an hour, the home side carved out the first clear chance of the afternoon when Elliot Dunlop's whipped delivery from the left found the surging run of Reid, only for the frontman's header to be expertly blocked by Allie Mitchell. The visitors failed to heed the warning, and it took barely sixty seconds for the deadlock to be broken. Graham Kelly released Ryan McKay down the left flank, and the Linfield loanee found Reid at the near post; the striker did the rest, steering the ball beyond a helpless Gareth Deane with the deftest of finishes. As the half-time interval approached, Declan Caddell's men almost extended their lead in first-half injury time when Donal Rocks' speculative strike from distance took a wicked deflection off the back of Reid, looping menacingly towards goal and forcing a superb, back-pedalling fingertip save from Deane. Bangor came out with renewed intent after the restart, and they almost drew level straight away when Tiarnan Mulvenna pounced on a loose clearance just inside the penalty area, though the midfielder could not keep his effort on target. The chances kept coming, and just shy of the hour mark Harry Lynch was afforded time and space 25 yards out; his dipping effort looked destined for the top corner until Shea Callister sprang across his goal line to preserve the home side's lead. That warning proved short-lived, the Seasiders drawing level eight minutes later when Mulvenna pulled the ball back for Iestyn Hughes, his shot taking a huge deflection off McKay and looping into the path of Arthurs, who rose to nod it over a stranded Callister. Just as it looked as though the game would finish level, Wardell stepped up with a stunning effort to claim all three points for the Crues. Cutting in from the right and finding no pressure from the Bangor backline, the winger took aim for the far post from 25 yards out, the ball crashing back off the post and nestling into the back of the net.