Zeroed in

Cliftonville 0-0 Crusaders

Cliftonville and Crusaders cancelled one another out as the first North Belfast Derby of the season failed to scale the heights.

Though the Reds bossed possession and shaded the contest, they were unable to carve out any meaningful opportunities until an 88th minute Joe Gormley shot that was kept out by goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey.

Ronan Hale had provided the home side’s main goal threat, while the Crues went close through two second-half headers, with Philip Lowry nodding wide before Jordan Forsythe struck the post.

Cliftonville made no changes from the side that had overcome Carrick Rangers on League Cup duty just 72 hours earlier and fashioned the night’s first chance when a clever flick saw Hale tee himself up for a strike that Tuffey was able to gather.

Hale was then denied by a good sliding challenge from Jarlath O’Rourke ahead of Johnny McMurray sending a dipping effort just over the top at the other end.

With 11 minutes until half-time, Colin Coates’ pass inside allowed Hale to shoot for goal again only for Tuffey to get down and save and, within 60 seconds, referee Shane Andrews was waving a Crues penalty appeal away when Rory McKeown took a tumble while attempting to intercept Kris Lowe’s chested ball back to goalkeeper Nathan Gartside.

The Reds’ final threat of the first-half saw McDonagh lash inches over and, having ended the opening period with McMurray going close with a header, the visitors saw Philip Lowry nod wide seven minutes after the turnaround.

Tuffey made two routine stops from Hale ahead of a superb fingertip save from Gartside turning Forsythe’s attempt against the woodwork and then, as the game swung from one end to the other, a Kris Lowe delivery just evaded Ronan Doherty in the middle.

The best chance of the night came with two minutes left to play when Gormley was played through by fellow substitute Sean Moore but saw his strike well repelled by Tuffey as Crusaders held on to claim their point.

Cliftonville: Gartside, Addis, Gallagher, Rory Hale (Gormley, 80 mins), R Curran, McDonagh (Moore, 75 mins), Lowe, Doherty, Turner, Ronan Hale, Coates. Unused subs: Talley, C Curran, Robinson, Traynor, Casey.