Declan Caddell has described his second season as Crusaders manager as a "rollercoaster" after the north Belfast side secured their Premiership status with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Annagh United.
It was a night of high drama at Seaview. The Crues carried a one-goal lead into the second leg, but Annagh hit back quickly. Philip Donnelly converted a penalty after just five minutes to level the aggregate score, before Lee Upton put the visitors ahead. Stewart Nixon's 71st-minute equaliser sent the tie to extra time, but neither side could find a winner.
In the shootout, goalkeeper Musa Dibaga emerged as the hero, saving two penalties to seal survival and avoid what would have been only the club's second relegation in its history.
"Credit to Annagh, they put it up to us," Caddell told BBC Sport NI. "For me, that game summarised our whole season in terms of a wee bit of bad luck, not playing for a full 90 minutes, injuries, everything relying on a last gasp, last minute. Credit to Dibaga for stepping in and making a difference. I'm just relieved to get over the line because it's been a difficult year. Who would be a football manager, eh?"
It's been a season far removed from what Crusaders fans are used to. Normally accustomed to top-six finishes and European adventures, supporters instead endured a nervy relegation battle. The side looked destined for the drop when Glenavon mounted a late charge, but an encouraging post-split run secured 11th place and a spot in the relegation/promotion play-off. The team went into the decisive tie unbeaten in four games, with the confidence gained proving crucial against a tough Annagh side.
"This season's been a rollercoaster. Parts we have done well. Large parts we haven't," Caddell admitted. "We're a young team, a really young team. What they've done this season won't go unnoticed. The players won't realise it, but to put yourself in that situation—struggling at the bottom, eventually dropping to the bottom, having to claw your way back up, then going into a high-pressure play-off—that is going to be so beneficial for all of them. Everybody thought we were going under, but this group showed real character."