Football: Jem hopes Spier-ed

BALLYMENA paraded new star signing Nigel Jemson for yesterday's encounter with Crusaders but it was defender Jeff Spiers who stole the show for the visitors.

Ex-Nottingham Forest hit-man Jemson was signed in midweek in a bid to kick start their stuttering season but despite some clear touches, he was muscled off the ball all afternoon by man-of-the-match Spiers and defensive partner Stevie Livingstone.

Ballymena failed to cut open the Crues' well-organised defence with only Oran Kearney looking a danger when going forward. And it was Kearney who opened the scoring on 53 minutes when a piece of quick thinking bagged him his fifth goal of the season.

A thunderbolt strike from Ciaran Donaghy had Crusaders keeper Michael Dougherty scrambling and when he parried clear, Kearney made no mistake from six yards.

Crusaders were already furious at not being awarded an early penalty when Brian Russell's half-volley was handled in the penalty area by defender Paul Byrne but referee Peter Thompson waved play on.

But they were soon to get their revenge when on 61 minutes.

Ballymena boss Kenny Shiels was furious when Thompson awarded the spot kick after John O'Loughlan was adjudged to have upended Kyle McDowell in the area.

James Willis stepped up to confidently tuck the ball past Dwayne Nelson.

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