IRISH LEAGUE: Portadown’s late winner cruel on Rangers, says Haveron

Carrick boss Gary Haveron insists his side didn’t get what they deserved against Portadown after they were hit with yet another late sucker-punch at Taylor’s Avenue.
Carrick Rangers' Ryan Kane conceded a penalty during the final moments of the game at Taylor's Avenue after he appeared to fell Portadown's Ross Redman in the box. INLT 41-942-CON Picture: Kevin Scott / PresseyeCarrick Rangers' Ryan Kane conceded a penalty during the final moments of the game at Taylor's Avenue after he appeared to fell Portadown's Ross Redman in the box. INLT 41-942-CON Picture: Kevin Scott / Presseye
Carrick Rangers' Ryan Kane conceded a penalty during the final moments of the game at Taylor's Avenue after he appeared to fell Portadown's Ross Redman in the box. INLT 41-942-CON Picture: Kevin Scott / Presseye

In an otherwise drab affair, there was late drama in the Premiership clash as Rangers substitute Ryan Kane appeared to bring down Ross Redman inside the box in the 94th minute. Up stepped Glaswegian striker Gary Twigg to hammer home the spot-kick for a 1-0 win.

“It’s cruel on us but that’s the nature of football. You’ve got to play to the final whistle. I’m bitterly disappointed because we didn’t deserve that,” Haveron told the Times. “At the end, we were pushing on and I thought we looked more likely to win the game ... but it’s silly defending. (Ryan) Kane has made a good block and he’s tried to be honest about it and he’s tried to make another effort to win the ball.”

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Carrick have yet to win a league game on their own patch this season but Haveron says he isn’t too concerned by that particular statistic.

“I’m not worried about our home form,” he said. “We’ve been well in every game. Of course I want to get results and we’ve now conceded a few goals late on from winning positions and we should be sitting with more points than what we have. I’m not concerned about home form. I’ll take points anywhere and everywhere we can get them.”

Haveron’s opposite number Ronnie McFall said: “It’s not easy coming to Carrick but there are plenty of positives to take from the game. I thought Twigg was outstanding and (Michael) Gault and Ross Redman did well and David Miskelly made some fantastic saves. Carrick are probably disappointed to lose the game in the last kick, but from our perspective we are just delighted.”

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