FOOTBALL: Rangers throw away two-goal lead against Shamrock

Grange Rangers threw away a two-goal lead as Division 2C title challengers Shamrock netted three second-half goals to claim a 3-2 win.

Ryan Murphy gave Rangers the lead on 16 minutes when his cool left-footed finish gave the keeper no chance.

On 23 minutes Rangers doubled their lead when Dean Johnstone’s free-kick from the right was volleyed in at the back post by Matthew Cooper. The rare goal from Cooper looked for much of the match that it would seal a vital three points, but three goals in five minutes turned the game on its head. The Ardoyne men scored on 78, 81 and 83 minutes to take all three points back to Belfast.

Rangers’ new manager Jason Leitch admitted a poor second half cost his team and said promotion is now unlikely.