Blues beaten in Shield thriller

The Blues were on their way to victory leading 2-1 with just a minute to go when the Crues forced the match into extra time in a drama filled encounter.

Linfield were then reduced to 10 men for the two periods of extra-time when Michael Carvill was sent off - and then David Jeffrey and his battling troops were denied the spoils when Owens smashed the all important winner late on.

Earlier the Blues made the best possible start when Billy Joe Burns fired them into a sixth minute lead. Mark McAllister played in Jamie Mulgrew who set up the chance for Burns and he made no mistake with a cool finish.

Three minutes later Michael Carvill missed a fine chance to double the lead when he failed to hit the target when set up by McAllister.

The Crues hit back and after a fluffed effort from Jordan Owens Linfield keeper Stuart Addis took the sting out of a shot by winger McMaster.

Owens again failed to hit the target on 19 minutes with two chances. His first effort was pushed out by Addis but with the goal gaping the young Crues striker fired wide.

At the other end Burns again was in the thick of the action time he could not beat Keenan in the Crues goal.

With just six minutes left to the break it was all square when former Blues striker Mark Dickson headed past Addis.

On 44 minutes four players were booked - two from each side - after Gareth McKeown tussled with Michael Carvill. Both were yellow carded along with Owens and Michael Gault.

Into the second half and Linfield came out the more menacing with McAllister wasting the first chance and then Carvill smashed his effort off the woodwork when set up by Gault's fine cross.

On 66 minutes Aaron Hogg replaced the injured Keenan in the Crues goal and he was almost beaten when Burns tried his luck with a dipping volley.

It was fairly even after this until the game burst to life again on 88 minutes. Linfield won a penalty and when Jim Ervin drilled the ball home for a 2-1 lead the fans must have thought the Shield was secured.

However, there was time for more drama, when a long throw by McKeown was headed home by Colin Coates with just 60 seconds of normal time left.

On to extra time and after just eight minutes of added time the Crues forged ahead for the first time in the final when Owens connected with a loose ball in the box and after taking a deflection off Stephen Douglas it flew past a stranded Addis.

Paul Munster had a great chance to make it 3-3 right at the death. A long throw from Douglas flew to the back post and from just a yard out the normally deadly young striker headed over the bar and it was all over for the Blues.

Crusaders have now won the last two trophies up for grabs having won the Irish Cup final in May. They will now push on for the league title.