Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton said that substitute Joe Gormely "had a feeling" before being introduced and scoring a 93rd minute winner against rivals Crusaders at Seaview.
The Reds dominated against the Crues but struggled to find a way past Musa Dibaga until additional time when Hale's free-kick eventually found substitute Gormley, who fired home.
Cliftonville are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions as Declan Caddell's side registered their fourth defeat in a row.
"It has to land to him and because of his prolific goalscoring record, it couldn't have fallen to a better person than Joe," Magilton told BBC Sport NI.
"Gerard [Lyttle] and Joe had a feeling, so we got him on the pitch and it is a great finish."
"Mr [Jonny] Addis is claiming he got a touch as well and listen, if you are going to win a game, it is the way to win a game and we are all delighted."
However, Crusaders manager Caddell was bemused with the late goal and believes that Addis did get a touch on Gormley's effort and was in an offside position.
The result means that the Crues remain three points ahead of the Lurgan Blues in twelfth position with the sides playing each other this Saturday.
"I thought the work ethic and hunger was there and the fight was there. We may have lacked a bit of quality," Caddell said.
"It is a sore one to take in the 93rd minute. An offside goal at that, that is just salt in the wound."
