A Jarlath O’Rourke double was enough to see Crusaders through to the semi-finals of the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield after an entertaining 3-2 victory over Belfast rivals Linfield at Seaview.
Larne, Ballymena United and Glentoran also progress into the last four.
It was an enthralling start to the evening on the Shore Road, with the Crues taking the lead after less than two minutes were on the clock.
Harry Franklin was the man to grab the opener, heading home from a trademark Ross Clarke cross.
O’Rourke then doubled the home-side’s lead on 38 minutes with a superb strike from the edge of the box. However, Linfield were down but not out, and their resilience paid off on 76 minutes, when Chris Shields converted from the penalty spot.
Six -minutes later O’Rourke got his second of the game and the Crues’ third when an attempted clearance appeared to rebound off the full-back and deflect into the net.
David Healy’s men did grab a consolation deep into injury-time when Liam Burns scored a delightful free-kick, but it wasn’t to be for the Blues as Declan Caddell’s side progressed.
Shield-holders Larne have Paul O’Neill to thank for their 4-0 win over Championship outfit Newington. The striker has been struggling for minutes this season under manager Tiernan Lynch, but he scored all four goals this evening in a quick-fire 17 minutes of second-half action.
The Inver Park side remain on course to secure a record fifth-straight Shield victory.
Interim managers Mark Surgenor and Curtis Allen were unable to reproduce their heroics on Saturday as they went down in east Belfast. Jay Donnelly and Jordan Jenkins were on target in Glentoran in a 2-0 home victory against the east Antrim side.
Finally, Ballymena’s whirlwind start to the season continues as Jim Ervin’s men recorded yet another victory.
For the second time in three weeks, it was Cliftonville who fell on the Sky Blues’ sword.
Aaron Jarvis scoring the only goal of the game in the opening period as Ervin’s team march on.
