THROUGH THE MILL Blues ride luck before Kirk pops up with big winner

CRUSADERS edged a thriller at Seaview but it took a last-minute penalty save from Sean O’Neill to secure victory for Stephen Baxter’s men.

The home side made the worst possible start, falling behind to a Rhys Marshall header in the first minute.

Paul Heatley hooked in a volley to draw the Crues level and Philip Lowry made it 2-1.

Andrew Mitchell responded with a penalty for the Lurgan Blues but then David Cushley scored from the spot for what proved to be the winner in the 79th minute. O’Neill denied the visitors a point when he kept out Josh Daniels’ spot kick. battered Dungannon 4-0 at Stangmore Park, helped by a second half brace from Joe Gormley. Defender Gary Breen had opened the scoring with a low drive while Ryan Curran also got in on the act.

Larne won 4-1 at Institute thanks to two goals apiece for Johnny McMurray and Martin Donnelly. The visitors then saw keeper Conor Mitchell red-carded and Joe McCreadie scored a consolation penalty.

A Stewart Nixon (inset) hat-trick saw Carrick cruise to 3-0 win at Warrenpoint. Barcelona. But Mount, 20, recalls only one thing from that night – and it isn’t Didier Drogba scoring Chelsea’s winner.

“Messi played, that’s all I remember,” said Mount. “I was just watching him the whole game.

“When you are a ballboy it’s up close and personal. I remember just watching him kind of walk around a bit and then when he got the ball just light up. Just like that.

“He doesn’t do much running off the ball but as soon as they got it he comes alive.”

Mount’s career is on the up since Frank Lampard took charge at Chelsea.

“Yes, it’s all happening for me but you can’t really get too caught up in everything,” he said.

“You just let it happen. They were two good games for England and now I’m focusing on Chelsea, the Premier League and Champions League.”