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Steven Crawford

Cliftonville let crucial win slip away in title race after enthralling derby draw

Cliftonville missed the opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Larne as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Crusaders in an enthralling north Belfast derby.

Jordan Forsythe's spectacular first half strike put the hosts in front before Ryan Curran's brace either side of the break put the Reds in the driving seat.

But Ross Clarke's leveller ten minutes from time denied Paddy McLaughlin's men what would have been a crucial win in the title race.

Read more: 'This might be my last cup final, you never know' - David Healy

In a fast start at Seaview Dean Ebbe was denied by Nathan Gartside while at the other end Ronan Hale clipped the upright from outside the box.

Back came the Crues as that man Ebbe turned provider on 12 minutes whipping a great ball in for Philip Lowry, but he planted his header narrowly wide of the target.

The deadlock was finally broken, and in some style, in the 26th minute.

Daniel Larmour was brought down by Chris Gallagher some 25 yards out from goal, and up stepped Forsythe to curl a superb effort past Gartside and into the top corner.

The Reds drew themselves level ten minutes before the break as Curran tapped in from close range after Burns had managed to deny Luke Turner on the goal line after great work by Kris Lowe to get the cross in.

The Crues should have gone back in front again on 39 minutes as Ebbe picked out the unmarked Jude Winchester at the back post, but he fluffed his lines with a terrible header.

Right on half time Burns produced another goal line block this time to deny Ronan Doherty.

The second half was a more tense affair. There was a bit of needle with several players having to be talked to by referee Christopher Morrison.

The game was to turn again though with 20 minutes to go as Cliftonville were awarded a penalty after Robinson fouled Rory Hale in the box.

Curran kept his cool to send Tuffey the wrong way to double his tally.

Just when Crusaders needed a response up popped Clarke with a well-drilled shot to beat Gartside at the near post.

Tempers threatened to boil over again as Forsythe, Chris Hegarty and David Parkhouse all ended up in the referee's notebook.

Right at the death Joe Gormley somehow fired wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy to leave the Reds six points behind in the title race.

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