Currie returns to haunt Ports and boost Carrick’s promotion drive
BLUEFIN SPORT CHAMPIONSHIP CARRICK Rangers gave their hopes of an immediate return to the Premiership a major boost when manager Niall Currie returned to former club Portadown and got a 2-0 victory.
Carrick are now just three points behind second-placed Dundela with a match in hand.
Michael Smith fired Carrick ahead from the spot on 58 minutes. Six minutes later Johnny Flynn brought down Stewart Nixon and Smith stepped up again to double the lead.
Leaders Larne were eight minutes away from a surprise defeat at bottom-placed Dergview — and their first league loss of the season — but still managed to stretch their lead to 14 points.
Paul Smith gave Dergview a first-half lead before David Scullion levelled on 82 minutes.
Second-placed Dundela lost for the second time in a week.
William Bingham and Carl McComb had the Duns in front, but a stirring comeback saw Ballyclare claim a 4-2 win.
Chris Trussell and Jason Willinghan scored within two minutes of each other before Eoin Kane shot the Comrades in front with seven minutes to go and Sammy McIlveen added gloss.
Ballinamallard United enjoyed a 2-1 away win at Knockbreda.
Darragh McBrien and a penalty from Richard Clarke had the Mallards in control and they sealed the win despite a late consolation from Brendan Bennett.
In contrast Loughgall lost for the first time when they went down 3-1 to PSNI at Newforge.
PSNI went in front in the first-half before Nathaniel Ferris equalised, before Mark Anderson netted from the spot and scored again to complete the victory.
A late winner from Emmet Friars gave Limavady United a 2-1 win at H&W Welders.
They had led at half-time through Hugh Carlin before Charlie Dornan levelled for the Welders.
RESULTS: Dergview 1 Larne 1; Dundela 2 Ballyclare Comrades 4; Portadown 0 Carrick Rangers 2; H&W Welders 1 Limavady United 2; Knockbreda 1 Ballinamallard United 2; PSNI 3 Loughgall 1.