Lagan last-gasp leveller resues a point

For Ronnie McFall’s men it was a missed opportunity to make up ground on Carling Premiership leaders Linfield but for Michael Hughes it’s now four points out of a possible six as Rangers’ “interim” boss.

The Ports took the lead in the eighth minute when Kevin Braniff headed in from a superb delivery from right-back Chris Ramsey.

Paul Owens got Carrick back on level terms in the 36th minute when his left-foot curler found the back of the net.

With 15 minutes to go, Portadown looked to have claimed all three points when talismanic striker Matthew Tipton hit the target, capitalising on a nightmare-before-Christmas mistake by Carrick stopper Declan Brown.

But Lagan came off the bench and made sure his side had the final say, sliding the ball home after Brian Gartland failed to deal with a Paul Heatley cross.

CARRICK RANGERS: Brown, Murray, Bell, McAlinden, Taggart, Smith (82 McClean, Addis (69 Lagan), Hutchinson, Owens, Heatley, McDowell. Subs not used: Valko, Hogan, Lynch