On the day a new era began at Dungannon Swifts, a face from the past returned to underline the huge task which confronts Rodney McAree.
Timmy Adamson reminded everyone of his class and quality with another goal as Crusaders pushed his former club deeper into the relegation mire.
The striker is one of a series of players to exit Stangmore Park in recent seasons, and this match illustrated once more how sorely he is missed.
For McAree it was a glimpse of the harsh realities of Irish League management.
He doesn’t need anyone to spell out Dungannon’s problems but they were all too evident in this match – low confidence, poor defending and little attacking threat.
They had several decent chances in a hugely encouraging first half, but lacked the cutting edge and sharpness to convert any of them.
Then, just five minutes after the restart, careless defensive play allowed Adamson to score.
The momentum swung in Crusaders’ favour with Swifts struggling to make an impact, and Stuart Dallas wrapped up the victory with a late second.
However, there were still positives for Dungannon’s new manager to take.
That includes an outstanding performance from 15-year-old Liam Donnelly who, on his first team debut, produced an assured, faultless display.
Yet while McAree is just days into his new job, he will realise that performances count for little and points are needed to drag the club away from danger.
Donnelly was one of four changes to the team which faced Coleraine, with McAree reshuffling a defence which had conceded seven goals in the two previous games.
And there were immediate signs of improvement on both matches, as Dungannon survived the first 60 seconds without conceding.
Indeed it could have been even better with the visitors dominating the early chances.
Michael Funston saw a 14th minute header go just wide after meeting a Craig McClean cross, while Johnny Topley also headed over from close range.
Their best chance, however, fell to Dermot McCaffrey. His header was on target but goalkeeper Sean O’Neill produced a top-class save to tip it wide.
Crusaders were forced into an early substitution when Michael Halliday suffered an injury.
David Rainey took his place, and had their first chance in the 33rd minute. David McMaster supplied the cross but the veteran striker’s header was off target.
After a slow start the Crues started to pile on the pressure towards the end of the half, and Rainey fired over after expertly controlling a cross from Dallas.
Niall Morgan made a decent save to thwart Adamson after a neat turn and shot, while McMaster’s deflected effort went wide with the ‘keeper struggling to get across.
Crusaders also had two unsuccessful penalty appeals. First they claimed a Colin Coates shot was handled by Topley while Rainey protested strongly after going down in the box.
In the closing stages of the half Funston, operating in a more advanced role, robbed Stephen McBride but saw his strike collected by the ‘keeper.
McAree would have been very happy with his side’s performance, but his mood changed within five minutes of the restart.
A deep cross from McBride reached Adamson and, after his initial effort wasn’t held by Morgan, he hooked the rebound past the ‘keeper to break the deadlock.
The Crues continued to threaten, albeit without testing Morgan.
Adamson twice went close, getting too much height on Gareth McKeown’s free-kick before heading McMaster’s cross inches over.
Chris Morrow also had a penalty appeal turned down after being floored by Adam McMinn’s challenge.
Dungannon had hardly threatened the home goal in the second half but had two decent chances as the clock ticked down.
First a long goal-kick was headed into the path of Funston, but O’Neill watched his 35-yard strike all the way and made a comfortable save.
Then Johnny Montgomery tried his luck from a similar distance, but his powerful free-kick was turned wide by the ‘keeper.
But as Swifts probed for an equaliser, Crusaders hit them on the break.
Rainey scampered forward, shrugging off the challenge of Funston. Morgan tried to block but the ball fell perfectly for Dallas to head home.
CRUSADERS: O’Neill, McKeown, McBride, Magowan, Coates, Morrow, Adamson, Dallas, McMaster (Snoddy, 77), Watson, Halliday (Rainey, 15)
Subs not used: Leeman, Cargan, McCann
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill (P Donnelly, 76), L Donnelly, Montgomery, McMinn, McClean, McCaffrey, Murphy (S Lavery, 66), Topley, Funston, Ward (McGerrigan, 76)
Subs not used: McKerr, C Forker
Referee: Tim Marshall (Irvinestown)
