Ballymena United moved into the top half of the Irish Premiership table after coming from behind to beat Crusaders 2-1 at the Showgrounds.

The visitors made the best possible start with a goal inside the opening 45 seconds when defender Jacob Blaney scored from close range.

Ballymena levelled inside 12 minutes thanks to Josh Archer's deflected shot.

Kodi Lyons-Foster nodded home the winning goal in the second period for Ballymena as Crusaders recorded a sixth defeat in their last eight league games.

Crusaders went in front inside the opening 45 seconds as Thomas Maguire's long throw was flicked into the penalty area where Donal Rocks' header came back off the crossbar and Jacob Blaney was first to react to poke the ball home from close range.

But Ballymena were level on 12 minutes when Josh Archer intercepted Scot Rough's pass just outside his own penalty area.

The midfielder drove forward and his shot took enough of a deflection off the outstretched boot of Robbie Weir to take it beyond the reach of goalkeeper Shea Callister.

Both sides looked bright in the opening period but struggled to seriously test either keeper with Aaron Reid firing a snap-shot on the turn wide for the visitors.

Ballymena started the second period with purpose and came close when Charlie Allen's deflected shot clipped the top of the crossbar on its way over.

And Allen was involved as Ballymena went in front nine minutes into the second period when the former Linfield player chipped up a cross to the back post where central defender Lyons-Foster was on hand to nod home from close range.

Chances remained at a premium in the second half with Igor Rutkowski's effort from an Allen cross unable to beat Callister but Ballymena held on for the victory.