LOWRY ON TARGET AGAIN AS CRUES GO THIRD
Crusaders swept to a four-goal victory over Newry City at Seaview to move into third spot in the standings.
Stephen Baxter's side needed just seven minutes to open the scoring when Paul Heatley marked his return to action with a deflected effort into the bottom corner from just inside the area.
It got worse for Newry a few minutes after that as Philip Donnelly was shown a straight red card after an off the ball incident with Philip Lowry.
And Lowry doubled home advantage towards the end of the first half after connecting with a Billy Joe Burns cross from the right to head home his 11th goal of the season.
McCauley Snelgrove might have added a third after that only to send his effort straight at keeper Steven Maguire from a good position.
It was 3-0 around the hour mark after Jarlath O'Rourke sent over a looping ball for Burns to meet with a diving header to turn home from just outside the six yard box.
The Crues then added a fourth - and Lowry's second of the game - on 76 minutes with a composed headed finish after connecting with Heatley's cross from the left.
Adam Lecky could have scored a fifth for the Crues in the closing few minutes only to rattle an upright after Robbie Weir had sent over a low right-sided cross.
Crusaders: Murphy, Burns, Lowry, O’Rourke, Owens, Winchester, Larmour, Heatley, Snelgrove, Clarke, Barr subs Pauley (not used), Weir (replaced Barr 68), Lecky (replaced Owens 68), Ebbe (replaced Winchester 79), Thompson (replaced Snelgrove 68), Steele (not used), McMurray (replaced Clarke 79)
Newry City: Maguire, King, N. Healy, Lockhart, Teelan, Martin, B. Healy, Donnelly, Rocks, Scullion, Montgomery subs Brady (not used), Omrore (replaced Rocks 68), Hughes (not used), Moan (replaced Scullion 46), Kwelele (replaced B. Healy 75), McCaul (replaced Teelan 75), Clarke (replaced Lockhart 68)
Substitution 
Substitution 
