Caddell credits players after 'rollercoaster' season

"Who would be a football manager, eh?

It has been quite the season for Declan Caddell as Crusaders manager, who has successfully secured the north Belfast side's Premiership status for next season after a penalty shootout victory over Annagh United.

The Crues had a one goal lead after the first leg, but Philip Donnelly's penalty levelled the aggregate score after just five minutes before Lee Upton edged Annagh ahead.

In the 71st minute Stewart Nixon equalised in the play-off and sent the game to extra time, but neither side were able to find a goal.

During the penalty shootout, Musa Dibaga saved two penalties as the Crues sealed their survival and avoided what would have been just their second relegation in the club's 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, and credit to Dibaga as well 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?"

'Everybody thought we were going'

The Crues fans are more used to top six finishes and European adventures, but they had to witness a nervy relegation battle this season.

The side managed to secure a shot at survival after an encouraging post-split run meant the side sealed 11th spot and a place in the relegation/promotion play-off after it looked like Glenavon may pull off a great escape and send the north Belfast side down automatically.

However, the side went into the play-off unbeaten in four games with the confidence this provided evident in the tough double-header against an impressive Annagh side.

"This season's been a rollercoaster. Parts we have done well. Large parts we haven't done well," he continued.

"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, in terms of struggling at the bottom, eventually dropping the bottom, having to claw your way back up, having to go to a play-off of high pressure. That is going to be so beneficial for all of them. Everybody thought we were going"