NI League Cup: As it happened

1. Ards 0-1 Ballymena United
2. Glentoran 2-4 Crusaders

Final whistle

That's all from us for tonight as Crusaders and Ballymena United progress to the NI League Cup semi-finals.

Crusaders came from behind to see off the Glens at the Oval while an injury-time goal gave United victory at Ards.

There's still two quarter-finals to be played - Cliftonville v Dungannon Swifts next Tuesday and Portadown v Linfield on 4 December.

We return to Premiership action on Saturday so join us again then.

Nixon on hunt for striker after Bangor defeat

I'm devastated for the players and the club as we didn't deserve to lose that game. However, if you don't put the ball in the back of the net you won't win football matches. It's been our Achilles heel all season and we need to get someone in as we just can'y score goals.

Colin NixonArds manager

Owens praises Crues scorer Cushley

We were a wee bit sloppy in the first half but we showed character in the second half and got our goals. David Cushley was superb tonight - he showed his quality and took his goal well.

Jordan OwensCrusaders striker

Jeffrey proud of Sky Blues after quarter-final win

Any neutral watching the game would say we deserved the win. I'm delighted and proud of the players. The one great quality we showed was that after missing so many chances it can make a team mentally weak, but we kept going to the end and got our just deserts.

David JeffreyBallymena United manager

Heatley seals win for Crues

Paul Heatley makes it 4-2 to Crusaders

FULL-TIME

It's all over at the Oval and the Crues go through to the last four with a sixth win in a row over Glentoran.

FULL-TIME

Heartbreak for Ards as they concede in the dying seconds of the game. On chances created it is a deserved win for Ballymena, who also twice hit the woodwork.

GOAL

United score in added time from a deflection. Jude Winchester got the shot away and the ball hit at least one Ards defender before trickling in.

There is still time for one last chance for Ards but the waste it and the Sky Blues are through to the semi-finals.

CLOSE!

A late chance for Ards with substitute Marc McKenna rifling over from a Jonny Frazer cross.

Three minutes of added time left with extra-time looming.

GOAL

Not long after coming on as a sub, Paul Heatley extends Crusaders' lead.

The winger ran away from the Glens defence and coolly rolled the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Looks like game over, now.

Owens heads Crusaders into the lead

Jordan Owens' second goal of the night puts Crusaders ahead

Millar hits the woodwork again

Millar hits the woodwork again

Sky Blues trio enter the fray

Ballymena boss David Jeffrey makes a triple substitution with striker Johnny McMurray coming on along with James Knowles and Andy McGrory.

Touch of class from Cush

David Cushley makes it 2-2 at the Oval with a clever finish on the turn

HITS THE WOODWORK

It just might not be Ballymena's night - Leroy Millar is denied by the Ards crossbar for the second time in the game.

The visitors are upping the tempo after Ards came out strongly after the break.

GOAL

Jordan Owens puts Crusaders in the lead for the first time this evening.

The corner from Cushley was inviting and Owens netted with a towering header at the back post.

Two goals from Owens - will the Crues be able to hold on to their lead?

GOAL

David Cushley equalises once more for Crusaders with a smart right-foot finish.

Unlike the left-foot thunderbolts we usually see from Cushley, this time it's a precise low finish with his weaker foot that finds the bottom corner.

Miss from McDaid

A great move down the right from the Glens, the ball comes into the box but Robbie McDaid's header does not match the move and it goes well wide.

CLOSE!

That's better from Ards - the hosts threaten first in the second half as David McAllister sees his 18-yard shot tipped over by Ross Glendinning.

United respond with Jason Mooney keeping out a fiercely-struck Jude Winchester effort.

Allen and McDaid 'different class'

Diarmuid O'Carroll

Radio Ulster summariser

McDaid and Allen have been different class for the Glens and the Crusaders defence have not been able to handle them. A lot of Crusaders' big players haven't performed and they have looked disjointed.