Tipton goes on the defensive after Town land blow on Carrick

WARRENPOINT Town have scored five goals in their last two away games to move out of the relegation zone but even for former centre forward Matthew Tipton it was the clean sheet that pleased the boss most.

The ace marksman would “love the season to finish now” but after watching Stephen Murray score two second half goals in a win over their relegation rivals, he quickly turned the praise to his defence.

“It’s great to see the goals going in but most important was the clean sheet. Special praise to Jordan Dane who broke his collar bone on first day of the season and this was his first game back. We are not blessed with a tremendous amount of defenders,” said Tipton.

In Dane’s absence, Tipton has been forced to fit round pegs into square holes and he singled out the player forced to fill the gap.

“Conor McMenamin has now shown me he is the best left back in the football club. He hasn’t put a foot wrong and full credit to him.”

The first goal came when Stephen Murray blasted home and three minutes later McMenamin won the ball in the ball in the middle of the park to send Lorcan Forde away on the right and when his cross came in, Murray was first to the ball at the near post to steer past Harry Doherty. CARRICK: Doherty, Larmour, McMullan, Gage, Chapman, Taggart (Clarke, 39 mins), Surgenor, McAllister, Smyth, Maybin (Hassin, 54 mins), Mooney (Roy, 72 mins). WARRENPOINT: Turker, Moan, Dane, Wallace, McMenamin, Forde, Davidson, TJ Murray, Macklel (M Murray, 15 mins), S Murray, D Murray.

Man of the match: Conor McMenamin Match rating: 6/10

Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)