Crusaders captain Billy Joe Burns is delighted the Shore Road men have acquired the happy knack of scoring crucial goals in the dying embers of big games.
Fresh from beating Ballymena United with the last kick of the ball in May’s Irish Cup final, Stephen Baxter’s men were at it again in Europe on Thursday night.
Teetering on the brink of going out of the Europa Conference League to Bruno’s Magpies of Gibraltar, Jude Winchester levelled the tie on aggregate in the 80th minute.
Read more: NI stalwart Ashley Hutton hailed as "one of the best" after announcing international retirement
And deep into stoppage time Burns pounced for the winner with a stunning volley to fire the Seaview club into a second qualifying round date with Swiss giants Basel.
“It is typical of us, leaving it until the last minute of the game,” Burns told Crues TV. “It was just unbelievable to get through and it was a happy changing room afterwards.”
Burns helped tee up Paul Heatley’s opening goal before making it 3-1 with a stunning 93rd minute strike to seal a dramatic 4-3 win on aggregate.
“I just had to remind a few boys that when I was in my prime I used to do that every week, but not so much nowadays,” joked the 33-year-old defender.
“Being involved in two of the three goals was great but the most important thing was to get the win. That’s what it’s all about.”
Having featured in a 6-1 aggregate defeat to English Premier League club Wolves in the Europa League in 2019, Burns is relishing another high-profile tie with Basel.
The Swiss Super League club reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League two years ago and the last-16 of last season’s Europa Conference League.
“We’re going out there expecting a very tough game, but that’s what you dream of when you’re a wee boy, to play against these big clubs and teams,” Burns said.
“We’ll go out there and enjoy every moment of it. It was the same when we played Wolves. We conceded late away from home and they beat us 2-0.
“We’re not silly, we know what we’re up against, but we’re looking forward to it and we’ll give our best.”
Crusaders travel to face Basel in the first leg on Thursday, July 21 with the return leg at Seaview the following Thursday (July 28).
READ NEXT:
-
Old Firm giants Celtic in the hunt for talented Glentoran teenager Francis Turley
-
Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter relishing sizzling Swiss showdown after late Bruno KO
-
Larne captain Jeff Hughes offers 'not good enough' verdict on Europa Conference League exit
-
Irish League goalkeeper John Connolly seeking new club after committing to play on at 45
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
