Declan Devine’s three second half substitutes – Jordan Jenkins, Charlie Lindsay and Wassim Aouachria - paid a huge dividend as they were all on the scoresheet in Glentoran’s impressive win against Crusaders at Seaview.
It was a masterstroke by Devine, whose team trailed to a Jordan Forsythe goal at half-time.
But when the former Derry City manager tweaked his formation, there was only going to be one winner, the Glens produced a dominant second half and, really could have won by a bigger margin.
The victory moved the east Belfast team up to third in the Sports Direct Premiership table, level on points with Cliftonville, but still seven behind cross-town rivals Linfield.
Still buoyed by their BetMcLean Cup win over David Healy’s Blues last time out, Declan Devine made three changes to his starting line-up.
Kodi Lyons-Foster, Finley Thorndike and Johnny Russell were drafted into the starting line-up in place of the injured Frankie Hvid, Jay Donnelly and James Singleton.
Crusaders also made alterations to is team that defeated Dungannon Swifts, with Jimmy Callacher and Jacob Blaney in for Harry Franklin and Lewis Barr.
Following an untidy start, with both teams guilty of giving away possession, it was the Crues who forged into to lead on 24 minutes.
Jarlath O’Rourke’s tantalising corner kick from the right found the head of Forsythe, who managed to escape his marker in the form of Danny Amos and, when he came in on the blind since of Marcus Kane, his bullet effort flashed past Daniel Gyollai.
Glentoran’s response was positive. In fact, they should have been level only three minutes later.
Skipper Kane whipped a great deliver into the box that was met by the head of Amos, whose effort was superbly clawed away by goalkeeper Johnny Tuffey.
David Fisher pounced on the rebound, only to see his scuffed shot hoofed off the line by the alert Jimmy Callacher.
It helped breathe new life into the Glens in the last third, with Dylan Connolly trying his luck from distance, only to see his shot fizz well wide, before Aaron Wightman’s cross was met by Amos that was deflected for a corner kick.
Half-time: Crusaders 1-0 Glentoran
Glentoran were forced into an early change after the restart when Johnny Russell collided with a hording at the side of the touchline. Although he carried on, he was eventually replaced by Jordan Jenkins on 53 minutes.
But it was Gyollai who was call into action just after the hour. The persistence of substitute Jordan Stewart, Kieran Offord and Ross Clarke duly paid off when the ball fell to defender Daniel Larmour, whose low shot was gathered by the big Hungarian shot-stopper.
Declan Devine then decided to roll the dice, introducing Wassim Aouachria and Charlie Lindsay for Dylan Connolly and Finley Thorndike.
But it was the home side who threatened again when Offord cut inside Amos and tried his luck with a rasping left-footed drive that flashed wide.
Glentoran were back on terms 17 minutes from time. Wightman’s cross kissed off the head of Jimmy Callacher, which was gobbled up by Jenkins and he powered his shot past Tuffey.
It got even getter for the visitors four minutes later. This time Lindsay latched on to a left wing cross from Amos and his shot flew past a startled Tuffey.
Devine’s men sealed the deal eight minutes from time. Jenkins whipped in a great cross from the left that pawed out by Tuffey, but Aouachria was first to react and his shot trickled over the line.
The big Glentoran following were dancing with delight at the finish - they had every right the be happy!
Full-time: Crusaders 1-3 Glentoran
