David Rainey scored the winning goal as Crusaders beat Glentoran 1-0 at the Oval to move four points clear at the top of the Carling Premiership table.

Rainey fired in the rebound for his 11th league goal of the season in the 36th minute after initially hitting the woodwork from Martin Donnelly's corner.

Shane McCabe was sent-off in the 78th minute following an off-the-ball incident with Crusaders' Ryan McCann.

Johnny Black hit the angle of the post and bar with an 18-yard shot on 84.

Rainey had a shot turned away for a corner by Elliott Morris before he broke the deadlock near the end of the first half.

After the break Morris made another fine save after Colin Coates met Donnelly's corner.

Gary Hamilton saw his effort turned round the post by Chris Keenan four minutes later and then the Glens had Johnny Taylor stretchered off with a leg injury.

McCabe's dismissal made the league champions' task more difficult and Black's drive was the nearest they came to equalising.

The Glens were booed off the pitch at the end of the game.

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