The Northern Ireland international showed his worth to the Crues after rising unmarked to nod home a Marty Donnelly corner from the left as the Crues made it two wins on the bounce to join Glentoran and Dungannon Swifts at the top of the table.

Linfield enjoyed the lions' share of possession in the opening half-of-an-hour or so with a Robert Garrett effort on nine minutes perhaps being the pick of any chances created.

And the Blues almost moved in front again seven minutes from the break when, after a goalmouth scramble from a Michael Carvill corner, Philip Lowry turned the ball just over.

The visitors almost made it 2-0 on 52 minutes when Chris Morrow found Aaron Black in the area but his effort was well saved by Alan Blayney.

Linfield forced a number of corners as the game moved into the final quarter but they were unable to find a way through with Garrett firing over from 25 yards followed by a Michael Carvill effort pushed away by Chris Keenan proving to be the best of the opportunities available.