Jim Magilton hails courageous Cliftonville players after stunning North Belfast derby victory

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton celebrates with his assistant Gerard Lyttle

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton declared that a stunning 3-0 victory away to Crusaders will give his team ‘massive confidence’ for the challenges that lie ahead .

The Reds produced their best performance since Magilton took over to triumph at Seaview with brilliantly taken goals from Chris Gallagher, Rory Hale and Ben Wilson stopping their north Belfast rivals from going top of the Sports Direct Premiership.

The convincing victory for Cliftonville moved them into fifth place in the table four points behind league leaders Glentoran with Linfield, Larne and the Crues bunched in between.

Magilton’s men were excellent as they inflicted a first Premiership defeat of the campaign on Stephen Baxter’s side who would have jumped into first place with three points.

“I think it was a tremendous effort from the boys who were fantastic from start to finish,” said a delighted Magilton, who was appointed in June.

“We showed courage which you have to do at Seaview, we showed intensity and we showed quality which we have in abundance.”

Impressive midfielder Gallagher opened the scoring in the 18th minute from a clever corner routine and set up the outstanding Hale to double the advantage before the break.

Cliftonville’s triumph was sealed early in the second period when summer signing Ben Wilson hit the net with his team’s third fine finish of the night.

The visitors could have scored more in what was a superb all round display which included resolute defending to stop the Crues from scoring for the first time in the league this season.

For Magilton this was a template for how he wants his side to play – threatening in attack, creative and controlled in midfield