Cherrie Debuts but Cliftonville Falter

Cliftonville gave new signing Peter Cherrie an early debut as the former Dundalk keeper started in the champions 2-2 draw with Warrenpoint Town at Solitude on Saturday afternoon.

The Reds were fresh from securing the Antrim Shield trophy, with victory over Bangor mid-week, and rested several key players in what was expected by many to be a routine victory over the league's bottom side.

The game did not pan out that way however and Cherrie was forced into a string of top class second half saves to earn his side a point, although he may be slightly disappointed to be beaten at his near post for Warrenpoint's 79^th minute equaliser.

Robert Bayly played 90 minutes in the game while former Shelbourne and Bray Wanderer's attacker, Darren Forsyth, came on for the final twelve minutes for Warrenpoint.

It has been busy transfer window for the North Belfast side as they continued to grow to their ranks with the addition of Caoimhin Bonner from Finn Harps. The 22 year-old defender, who also spent time with Kilmarnock and Derry City, becomes the fourth player from the League of Ireland to join up with Cliftonville this January and the second from Finn Harps with Sean McCarron making the same journey earlier this month. The club have agreed by mutual consent to part with company with ex-Dundalk striker Tiarnan Mulvenna who joined from Glenavon in the summer.

Gary Twigg continues to terrorise defences since his move north from Shamrock Rovers as the Scot bagged a hat-trick in a 5-5 thriller with Ballymena United who had the former Dundalk striker, Matthew Tipton, to thank for two of their goals in a stunning comeback for Glenn Ferguson's men.

Crusaders extended their lead at the top of the table to four points with a 2-1 win over Glentoran with Barry Molloy and Stephen O'Flynn making second half substitute appearances for the Belfast side.