Carrick Rangers slump to Tobermore defeat

Neil Lamont - who netted a hat-trick on the day - had Michael Hughes’ side on the back foot inside the first minute when he fired past Robert Robinson.

In terms of possession, Rangers had the edge during the first half but they failed to carve out many clear-cut opportunities.

The visitors had a penalty appeal waved away when it appeared Adam Dick was fouled in the box.

They did draw level through Rory McGilloway whose right-foot strike - his first league goal for the club - found the bottom corner.

The equaliser should have served as a springboard for the men in amber but, instead, it was Tobermore who regained their one-goal advantage with Lamont netting his second of the afternoon.

Centre-back Kyle Owens came close to an equaliser but his header was cleared.

Dick restored parity, scoring directly from a corner before Lamont made sure he would be taking the match ball home after he latched on to a long ball which evaded the Rangers rearguard.

It wasn’t one of Rangers’ better days, but when Owens’ header drew Carrick level for a third time with 10 minutes on the clock, it looked as though they would take something from the game.

That was until Danny Gardiner scored from the penalty spot, after a mistimed challenge from Dick.

Carrick Rangers: Robinson, West, Crawford, (Taggart), Haveron, Owens, Harmon, McCloskey, McDermott, Kelly (McGilloway), Addis, Dick. Unused subs: Armour, Neill, Boyce.

Rangers boss Michael Hughes has apologised to fans for his side’s display against Tobermore. Don’t miss our interview with him in this week’s Times. Available now.