Bangor pushed Crusaders all the way at Seaview but were undone by a stunning late winner in a 2-1 defeat. Owen Wardell's 25-yard strike seven minutes from time crashed in off the post to cancel out Ben Arthurs' second-half header for the visitors.
Aaron Reid had given the hosts an early lead, finishing at the near post in the 16th minute. Bangor grew into the game after the break and levelled when substitute Arthurs, who had just replaced Luke McRoberts, rose highest to nod in a deflected effort from Iestyn Hughes. The equaliser sparked a period of pressure, with Harry Lynch forcing a save and Tiarnan Mulvenna going close, but Wardell's moment of quality decided it.
Manager Lee Feeney felt his side deserved more. "I thought we were super and by far the best team in the second half after an even first half," he said. Feeney also expressed frustration over two penalty claims for fouls on Arthurs that were waved away and believed Crusaders' Oisin Devlin should have been sent off. His opposite number, Declan Caddell, acknowledged the shift in momentum, saying, "I thought we controlled the game for the first 45 minutes, but in the second half we didn't really come out."
The result leaves Bangor 11th in the Premiership with five points from eight matches, extending their winless run to five games. They have now conceded 17 goals this season, the second-highest total in the division. Their recent form shows a single point from the last 12 available, a run that includes four defeats.
Attention now turns to a tough home fixture against league leaders Coleraine on October 4. Coleraine have won six of their opening eight games, amassing 19 points. Bangor will look to build on the fight shown in this performance and get a result at Clandeboye Park. Check the fixtures page for the full schedule.
