Soccer

Carrick Rangers stun Crusaders to offer title window to Linfield

Carrack's Adam Salley celebrates scoring against Crusaders at Taylor's Avenue on Tuesday night <br />Picture by Pacemaker
Carrack's Adam Salley celebrates scoring against Crusaders at Taylor's Avenue on Tuesday night
Picture by Pacemaker
Carrack's Adam Salley celebrates scoring against Crusaders at Taylor's Avenue on Tuesday night
Picture by Pacemaker

Danske Bank Premiership: Carrick Rangers 4 Crusaders 3

CRUSADERS blew the chance to go eight points clear as Linfield were offered a window back into the title race by Carrick Rangers on Tuesday.

The champions were stunned as they found themselves 3-0 down at half-time and, despite a vastly improved second half, they couldn’t prevent Rangers from claiming three hugely valuable points.

The hosts took a surprise lead after five minutes when Daniel Kelly bent a superb shot across O’Neill after the ball fell kindly. Carrick needed a superb save from a deflected effort by returning ‘keeper Brian Neeson to keep their lead intact before they doubled it on 20 minutes.

A fine finish from Adam Salley, running on to a through ball and smashing into the top corner, sent the Taylor’s Avenue crowd into rapture. And when Aaron Harmon made it 3-0 just before the break, the hosts were well on their way to leapfrogging Ballinamallard at the foot of the table.

The Crues made a double change at half-time, and it was sub Michael Carvill who began the fightback by nodding home from close range on 56 minutes. A horrible mistake from a goal-kick by Neeson handed Paul Heatley a chance which he duly converted to make it 3-2 with just 13 minutes to play.

Stephen Baxter’s side piled forward in search of an equaliser but they were caught on the break two minutes from time and Ben Roy punished them. Aaron Harmon and Joshua Robinson were sent off in injury-time, with Rangers boss Gary Haveron also sent to the stands.

Deep into stoppage time, Jordan Forsythe headed home to set up a grandstand finish, but Carrick held on for a precious win.