Brian Russell stooped to head in Crusaders' second goal

Chris Morrow, Brian Russell and Jeff Spiers were on target to lift the Crues off bottom place in the Daily Mirror Irish Premier League.

Loughgall scored through Alain Emerson and a Stephen Coulter penalty.

It was a first league defeat for Loughgall in their debut season in the Irish League's top flight.

They went behind on 15 minutes when a pinpoint cross from Stephen McBride picked out Morrow who headed past Marc Robinson from six yards.

However, the north Belfast boys were in front for just four minutes as Alain Emerson headed in a Loughgall equaliser from Coulter's right-wing cross.

Crusaders regained the lead two minutes into the second half as Russell stooped to head in from a Gavin Arthur free.

Another Arthur set-piece led to Crusaders taking a 3-1 lead as veteran defender Spiers, back in the side after a hamstring injury, headed in at the second attempt.

Crusaders then had Stevie Livingstone sent-off for his second yellow card offence on 72 minutes and then Loughgall got right back into it three minutes later with Coulter's penalty after Emerson had been brought down.

Loughgall went all out to save their unbeaten league record but lost left-back Chris Guiney who was sent-off for his second booking.