BALLYMENA, Northern Ireland (Interstat) — Ballymena United and Crusaders played to a 2-2 draw in a Premiership match at The Showgrounds on Saturday.

The teams combined for three goals in a frantic five-minute span during the first half. Jarlath O’Rourke opened the scoring for Crusaders in the 32nd minute, only for Kian Corbally to equalize for Ballymena United five minutes later. Finley Thorndike then put the visitors back ahead in the 41st minute. Danny Lafferty secured the draw for the home side with a late equalizer in the 87th minute. The result defied a pregame projection that heavily favored Ballymena United to win. Both teams are now 0-0-1 to start their league campaigns.