McAlinden looking to keep run going after Carrick beat Swifts

DAVY McAlinden cannot wait to get back into action as Carrick Rangers bid to win three successive games for the first time since their return to the Danske Bank Premiership in 2015.

A trip to basement side Ballinamallard is next up on Saturday and the Carrick boss is keen to maintain the feel-good factor.

“It’s important you enjoy winning, we’ll train hard, we’ve had Ballinamallard watched and will work on ways to win the game.”

Unlike their impressive win against Glentoran in the League Cup, it was a fighting performance which brought only their second league win of the season against Dungannon Swifts.

The visitors deservedly took the lead in the 39th minute through a well-taken goal by Ally Teggart but McAlinden “changed a few things” at half-time and although they had to wait until the 74th minute to equalise, just three minutes later they were in front with a headed goal from Michael Smith.

The man who changed the game was Mikel Suarez, on loan from Crusaders.

Suarez’s physical presence continually worried the Swifts after his introduction for the last half hour and Swifts boss Rodney McAree admitted: “We were outfought, outmuscled and outbattled. Suarez is a handful but the goals we conceded were poor.” CARRICK: Doherty; Smyth, McMullan, Gage, Edgar; Chapman, Surgenor, Clarke (Morrow 68 mins), Smith, Roy (Taggart 35 mins); Maybin (Suarez 58 mins). DUNGANNON: Addis; Clucas, Hegarty, Wilson; Lowe, Hutchinson (Fitzpatrick 51 mins), Harpur, Teggart, O’Rourke (Lockhart 80 mins); Mayse (McMahon 78 mins), McElroy.

“Man of Match: Mikel Suarez

Match rating: 5/10

Referee: Shane Andrews.