Seasiders keep hopes alive at Carrick

Missing six regulars through injury and suspension, Rangers were second best in the game. The visitors went close in the early stages through Johnny Bowers and Mark Cooling.

The pressure finally paid off on 27 minutes when Gary Hall played the ball wide to Andy Morrow on the left. He delivered a cross into the box for Cooling to head past Robert Robinson.

Two minutes later Adam Dick fired in a free-kick from 30 yards, but the keeper made a comfortable save.

Carrick picked up the pace after the break, but fell further behind on the hour. Player-manager Garth Scates picked up the ball on the edge of the box and despite being held back by Glenn Taggart he slotted the ball wide of Robinson into the net.

With two minutes left on the clock, Gary Haveron pulled one back for Rangers when he rose to head home an Aaron Harmon cross. Bangor’s win now leaves them in a last day battle with Limavady, Tobermore and Larne all the all bid to beat the drop.

Carrick: Robinson, Kelly, Colligan, Haveron, Taggart, Barrowdale, Harmon, Bell, McConnell, Addis (Neill), Dick (McCann). Subs; McQuillan, Currie, Neill, McCann, Telford.

BANGOR: Gibbons, Long, Whitford, D. Youle, Hylands, Scates, Hall, Cooling, Morrow, Murray, Bowers. Subs: B. Youle, Mann, Justin, McLaughlin, Armstrong.

Referee: G. McIlwrath.