Linfield home past Crusaders thanks to Andy Waterworth and Niall Quinn

Goals from Andy Waterworth and Niall Quinn helped the Blues extend their early-season unbeaten run, which takes them three points clear in the Danske Bank Premiership table off a 2-1 win.

But they had to produce a fantastic rearguard action late on to keep out hungry Crusaders, who gave the 500 home fans a nail-biting final five minutes when new boy Adam Lecky scored.

Healy had his hand forced before the game when skipper Jamie Mulgrew failed a fitness test.

It was the Blues who asked all the early questions. After only nine minutes, Navid Nasseri sent Conor Pepper hurtling clear on the right and his cross was powered over the crossbar by the head of Waterworth.

Then, Kirk Millar produced one of his trademark corner-kick deliveries which Jimmy Callacher headed wide.

Baxter’s boys rode out the early storm and were presented with a chance following a misplaced pass from Nasseri. Jamie McGonigle bore down on goal, but Callacher got back to make a decisive block.

The Blues forged ahead four minutes from the break, with former Glentoran pair Nasseri and Pepper combining brilliantly on the right.

When the full-back got on the wrong side of Crues defender Michael Ruddy referee Ian McNabb was perfectly placed to award a penalty kick. Waterworth confidently stepped up to send Sean O’Neill the wrong way with a cheeky ‘Panenka-style’ spot-kick.

Healy’s team went looking for a second goal after the restart and they had big appeals for another spot-kick when Nasseri’s shot appeared to cannon off the arm of Rodney Brown.

Then, defender Chris Hegarty produced a goal-saving interception to prevent Callacher converting.

The Crues had a let-off when O’Neill appeared to misjudge a 25-yard free-kick from Quinn, whose effort kissed the base of the post.

But the visitors at last forced Chris Johns into action at the other end on 67 minutes when McGonigle managed to wriggle free only to see his low drive saved.

The introduction of Jordan Owens, Adam Lecky and David Cushley helped rejuvenate the visitors.

They were now the dominant force and Cushley almost leveled things up eight minutes from time when his blistering 25-yard free-kick was brilliantly pawed over the crossbar by Johns.

But the Blues struck the killer second goal six minutes from time when Millar whipped in another peach of a cross from the right for Quinn to power home with his head at the near post.

Crusaders replied almost immediately off a Jordan Forsythe cross for Lecky to head past Johns – his first goal in the red and black shirt.

LINFIELD: Johns, Haughey, Callacher, Waterworth, Stewart (Fallon, 61), Millar, Nasseri (Lavery, 72), McClean, Hery (McGivern, 72), Pepper, Quinn.

Subs (not used): Moore, Larkin, Clarke, Kearns.

CRUSADERS: O’Neill, Hegarty, Lowry, Kennedy (Owens, 57), McGonigle, Forsythe, Ruddy, Brown, Thompson, Heatley (Cushley, 80), Clarke (Lecky, 66).

Subs (not used): Doherty, Hale, Caddell, O’Rourke.

REFEREE: Ian McNabb.

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