He grabbed what proved to be the winner when he met a Francis Murphy cross to send a looping header over Aaron Kerr and into the bottom corner.

Ronan Scannell might have given the Reds the lead before that, though, when he fired narrowly over early on while David Magowan almost secured a speedy equaliser for the Crues only to send a 25-yard drive just a little too high.

And the Crues will point to a 53rd minute moment of controversy when Ronan Scannell brought down David Rainey on the edge of the area. Referee Adrian McCourt initially pointed to the spot but after consulting with his assistant downgraded his decision to a free-kick.

Chris Morrow then twice came close with one effort tipped over by John Connolly whilst another, from a Stephen Hyndes cross, he fired straight at the 'keeper from point blank range - and from the rebound Seamus Brown could only look on as his shot was cleared off the line by Ronan Scannell.