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Linfield defeat 'a hard one to take' - Caddell

Crusaders boss Declan Caddell said that their 3-2 defeat against Linfield was a "hard one to take".

Kyle McClean opened the scoring for the Blues late in the first half, with Jordan Stewart replying for the Crues.

Matthew Fitzpatrick and McClean restored Linfield's lead, with Jimmy Callacher scoring what proved to be a late consolation for the hosts at Seaview.

"It was disappointing, I thought the conditions played a part in both halves, but it was a hard one to take, I wasn't entirely happy with our performance," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought we were off it, we didn't really play and the goals we conceded weren't good enough for our level, that's probably the most disappointing thing."

Caddell was particularly frustrated by Crusaders' response after getting themselves level in the game.

"After we got the equaliser, to concede in the manner that we did five minutes later, that knocked us we found it hard to get back into it," Caddell admitted.

"Then Linfield were in the ascendancy, we got the late goal and could have scored right at the end, but we probably wouldn't have deserved it on reflection."