Linfield came out on top in a pulsating five-goal thriller at Seaview.

Glenn Ferguson curled a left-foot shot into the top corner in the 34th minute and Michael Carvill made it 2-0 with a stunning right-foot volley after 51.

Jordan Owens touched the ball in two minutes later but Paul Munster fired the ball home on 64 after keeper Chris Keenan had spilled a Ferguson shot.

Owens fired wide before Alain Emerson forced the ball in on 68 but Linfield's Robert Garrett then hit the upright.

The league champions had the first chance of the game, Munster seeing an effort scrambled away for a corner from Aidan O'Kane's cross.

Blues goalkeeper Alan Mannus then produced a fine save to deny Owens although the flag was already up for offside.

Ferguson scored his brilliant opener to give David Jeffrey's side a 1-0 half-time lead.

After the break, Garrett had a scissor-kick volley well saved by Keenan and Mannus backpedalled to catch Mark Dickson's audacious long-range effort.

Jamie Mulgrew had played his part in the opening goal and the midfielder was also the provider for the second, supplying the ammunition for Carvill to score at the back post.

Crusaders refused to lie down and Martin Donnelly saw his flick header cleared off the line before Owens reduced the Seaview men's deficit.

Mannus then saved after Aaron Black turned and fired a rasping volley at the visitors' goal.

Munster took advantage after Keenan's slip from a fierce Ferguson drive but the Crues' never-say-die attitude was again displayed when Emerson pulled one back.

Garrett went close to making it 4-2 and then Mannus again excelled, making a fine stop to keep out Declan Caddell's attempt.

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