LATE SPOT-KICK GIVES CARRICK THE EDGE
A spot-kick late in the game helped Carrick Rangers secure victory over Dungannon Swifts at the Loughview Leisure Arena.
Rangers moved in front with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock after Kurtis Forsythe did well to get down the right and send an effort towards goal that was knocked into his own net by Swifts defender Caolan Marron.
Boosted by this, Carrick attempted to push on to double their advantage with Nedas Maciulaitis connected with Joe Crowe's pass but keeper Niall Morgan saved the resultant shot.
Morgan was called into action again to deal with a David Cushley effort soon after, and again to palm over Ben Tilney's strike from distance.
However Dungannon levelled on 32 minutes. The ball fell for Ethan Devine who laid it off for Joe Moore who, in turn, sent a strong strong strike beyond Ross Glendinning.
Curtis Allen might have restored home advantage before the break but he could only head over from Josh Andrew's lay-off.
Stuart King's side continued to create the better opportunities after the interval with Danny Purkis seeing a header again thwarted by Morgan.
And the visiting keeper had to be alert once more when a defensive error saw the ball fall in Allen's favour but Morgan did well to deal with the threat.
But what proved to be the winner came in the final moments when Kyle Cherry was brought down in the box with Cushley stepping up to rifle the resultant spot-kick high into the roof of the net.
Carrick Rangers: Ross Glendinning, Forsythe, Watson, Cushley, Allen, Maciulaitis, Andrews, Crowe, Reece Glendinning, Purkis, Tilney subs McCauley, Stewart, Surgenor, McGuckin, Buchanan-Rolleston, Cherry, O'Prey
Dungannon Swifts: Morgan, McGee, Curry, Marron, Devine, Dillon, Scott, Glenny, Moore, Lusty, Whiteside subs Hegarty, Owens, Gallagher, Mitchell, Alves, Harpur, Galvin
Substitution 
Substitution 
