A spirited Crusaders fight back helped the north Belfast side come from behind to beat Annagh United 3-2 in the first leg of the Irish Premiership promotion/relegation play-off at the BMG Arena.
Goals from Elliot Dunlop, Fraser Bryden and substitute Thomas Maguire flipped the game on its head after the Championship side went 2-0 up after 45 minutes thanks to goals from Aaron Rogers and Lee Upton.
It gives Declan Caddell's Premiership side a slender advantage heading into the second leg at Seaview on Friday.
Annagh started the game at a frenetic pace, but the visitors eventually settled and began creating a few half chances.
However, midway through the first half, it was first blood to the Championship side, who hit the front against the run of play.
An attacking corner was recycled before finding Rogers at the back post, who needed two bites at the cherry but eventually found the bottom corner with a precise finish at the second time of asking.
As half-time drew closer, the home side doubled their advantage as Upton got up to head home Craig Taylor's long throw-in from the left-hand side.
Just as Annagh thought they'd be going in at the break with a two-goal advantage, the Crues hit back through Dunlop as he fired home from outside the area after two neat touches to set himself up.
Nine minutes after the restart the Crues drew level and it was that man Bryden who got it. The prolific striker was afforded far too much time and space in the area as he guided home Dunlop's cross with his head with help from the far post.
The Crues snatched victory from the jaws of defeat right at the death as substitute Maguire found a way through goalkeeper Joel Little, whose unfortunate blunder cost his side.
