Rangers squander chance to move clear of Bangor at the top

Recent wins at their temporary Larne FC home over Dundela, Distillery, Dergview and the Welders, had some Rangers fans jokingly employing the term ‘fortress Inver’ on fans’ forums. But they certainly weren’t laughing after the final whistle of this one as Loughgall’s new boss, Brian Adair, walked away with his his first win since taking charge.

And the scalp of defeating the team topping the table will not have gone under the radar of the rest of the Championship fraternity.

The Lakeview Park men opened up some much-needed breathing space between themselves and 12th-placed Dergview. Carrick remain top, ahead of Bangor on goal difference, but with two games more under their belt.

An early second-half strike from Ards loanee Ryan Moffett and a James Costello goal four minutes from time gave battling Loughgall the win. Carrick’s Richard Gibson continues to score freely at this level but when his 18th goal of the season arrived deep into time added on, it was scant consolation for Gary Haveron’s men.

The two teams cancelled each other out in what was a drab first half. Ben Roy offered some spark without troubling former Crues stopper Wayne Drummond.

And, not for the first time in recent weeks, the elements played their part with both sides having to contend with driving rain and strong winds.

The visitors’ opener came on 56 minutes . Mark Carson released Costello up the line and the ex-Ballymena man was allowed too much space to lift in an inviting cross which Moffett gobbled up, heading past his former team-mate, Simon Steele.

Steele was called into action a few minutes later when he denied Costello with a strong save after good work from Daniel Ryan.

Loughgall had the edge but Aidan O’Kane must have thought his 72nd-minute effort was destined for the net, only to see it blocked by Jeff Brady. Drummond was in the thick of it from the resulting corner, making a crucial stop from Roy to preserve the visitors’ one-goal advantage.

Costello was later presented with an opportunity to put the outcome beyond doubt, but he was thwarted by Steele.

However, the big frontman was rewarded for a positive display when he sank his old club, rounding Steele to slot home after an intelligent reverse pass from Jack McCreanor.

Gibson popped up with a late strike to restore an element of pride for the Gers with the last kick of the game.

Carrick: Steele, Smyth, O’Kane, Donaghy, Lagan, Curran (Kelly), Harmon, McCloskey, Roy, Gibson, Lynch (Arthur). Subs not used: McCann, Taggart, West.