The Crues emphatically dispatched three goals past Glentoran at Seaview to inflict a first reversal in 25 league outings upon the side many pundits had earmarked as champions-elect even at this relatively early stage in the campaign.

It was David Rainey, however, who opened the scoring when, on 31 minutes, his downward header from a Martin Donnelly corner bounced beyond the reach of Glens 'keeper Elliott Morris.

The Crues extended their lead four minutes into the second half through Dickson who beat Morris with a cool left-foot finish after being released by a Jordan Owens cross from the right.

And Dickson made it 3-1 with a 19 minutes remaining with another confident finish after Donnelly fizzed the ball across the face of goal.