Premiership Crusaders had four players and manager Stephen Baxter sent-off as they lost 2-1 at home to Cliftonville who also had a man red-carded.

Cliftonville took the lead through a Liam Boyce penalty before Chris Morrow was sent-off for swinging an arm.

David Rainey then got a straight red card but the nine men got an equaliser through Jordan Owens.

Aaron Black and Ryan McCann were sent-off as was Cliftonville's Ryan Catney before Liam Fleming got the winner.

It was Cliftonville's sixth league win in a row.

Cliftonville could have taken the lead early in the game when they got a penalty after Eamonn Doherty had handled but George McMullan's spot-kick was well saved by Chris Keenan.

Boyce scored from the second penalty in the 37th minute after Colin Coates had brought down Chris Scannell just inside the box.

Morrow was the first player sent-off eight minutes into the second half for swinging an arm at McMullan.

Chris Morrow of Crusaders was sent-off for striking out at George McMullan

Two minutes later striker Rainey, who had been booked for dissent, was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge.

After that incident, Crues boss Baxter was ordered from the dug-out by referee Adrian McCourt.

However, Crusaders hit back and Owens put two good chances wide before scoring the equaliser from close range on 64 minutes.

More drama quickly followed and it was eight men against 10 as Crusaders substitute Black and Cliftonville's Catney were sent-off after a needless scuffle in the centre circle.

McCann was the fourth home player dismissed for a bad challenge on Barry Holland.

Crusaders defended well but the numerical advantage eventually told as full-back Fleming found space down the right to score the winner with a low shot into the far corner.

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