CARRICK RANGERS: Haveron bemoans ‘pathetic’ defending

Warrenpoint's Darren King and Carrick's Ben Roy battle for possession in Saturday's Danske Bank Premiership clash at the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena at Taylor's Avenue. INLT 37-929-CON Photo: Presseye

Goals from Conor McDonald and Mark Clarke put the visitors two up before Miguel Chines hit back from the penalty spot.

Haveron’s main concern was the manner in which Carrick defended for Warrenpoint’s two strikes. “The nature of the two goals we conceded was pathetic really. We were slow to react to a short corner (for the first) … and the second goal came from a set play. Warrenpoint didn’t really create a chance from open play,” he said.

“There’s no point in us getting pats on the back for getting a draw against Glentoran or results against teams we’re not fancied to get points against. Games like these are our bread and butter and they are critical to our survival plan and we just haven’t done enough today.”

Mark Clarke celebrates scoring Warrenpoint's second goal against Carrick. Photo: Presseye

He added: “We need to show more hunger and desire to go out there and get results.”

The win moved Warrenpoint within a point of Carrick but it could have been very different right at the death when Portuguese frontman Chines almost rescued a point when he headed on to the post, before seeing his rebound effort saved by Aaron Shanahan.

Warrenpoint boss Gray said: “Our performance, for us who pride ourselves in trying to play football, wasn’t great to watch from my dugout anyway. There are some games where you need to just plug in and sacrifice what you would like to see. It was just all about guts and grind and seeing it out right to the end.”

He added: “This is our third season in the Premiership and over the last two years we would have lost a game like that.”