And they remain one of just three sides with a maximum points return after the second round of fixtures in the race for the coveted Gibson Cup.

Given the eventual goal tally it might come as something of a surprise to learn it took the Crues until seven minutes from the break to actually open the scoring when Chris Morrow fired a powerful shot into the roof of the net.

After that the floodgates opened.

David Rainey made it 2-0 a couple of minutes from the break with a left foot drive from 10 yards while moments later Johnny Shaw might have added a third only to strike an upright with a free-kick from the left.

However David Larmour did extend the home lead nine minutes into the second half before, on the hour mark, Rainey grabbed his brace after darting past a couple of defenders to despatch the ball into the bottom corner.

Armagh recovered a modicum of respectability with a Kieran O'Connor volley 19 minutes from time but on 84 minutes Eamon McAllister restored Crusaders four goal lead when his shot was allowed to slip in by keeper Gavin Cushley.

Then, with two minutes remaining, Rainey claimed the match ball with his third of the game - and the first senior hat-trick by anyone this season - with a strong header from midway inside the area.