Leaders Glentoran suffered their second defeat in three games as Crusaders' Michael Halliday came back to haunt his former club with a cheeky winner.

Stuart Dallas and Richard Clarke went close at either end before Halliday back-heeled the Crues ahead on 43.

Crusaders were reduced to 10 men on 80 minutes after Declan Caddell's dreadful lunging tackle on Sean Ward.

Glentoran had a strong penalty shout late on after sub Andrew Waterworth appeared to be fouled.

Paul Leeman made his return for the Glens after seven months out because of injury although he started at right-back with Colin Nixon and Ward remaining in central defence.

The match started in lively fashion with both teams going close early on.

Caddell just failed to connect with a Martin Donnelly cross when only a touch was needed to open the scoring.

Stuart Dallas fired just wide as Crusaders continued their early enterprise.

However, Crues keeper Chris Keenan gave his team-mates a scare as he dropped a cross, under pressure from Nixon, before the ball was cleared to safety.

Richard Clarke should have put Glentoran ahead in the seventh minute but was off-target.

After something of a lull in the proceedings, Jordan Owens had a chance to put the Crues ahead after a pinpoint Colin Coates cross but the striker headed over.

However, the Crues did take the lead two minutes before the break as Halliday's delightful back-heel broke the deadlock after Chris Morrow's cross.

Glentoran bossed possession in the early stages of the second half without creating any clear-cut chances.

The main action of the second period came in the closing period as Crusaders were reduced to 10 men after Caddell's dreadful challenge on Ward.

Caddell appeared annoyed by referee Arnold Hunter's failure to award a free-kick for Leeman's tackle on David Rainey but there was no excuse for his lunge at Ward.

Waterworth appeared to have strong claims for a penalty with eight minutes left as ended up on the deck but referee Hunter instead booked the Glentoran substitute for diving.

As Glentoran pressed against the 10 men, Daryl Fordyce had a late chance but the superb Coates produced a vital block.

The win moves Crusaders to within a point of the leaders and Stephen Baxter's side have a game in hand on the Glens.

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