Ballinamallard 1-3 Carrick Rangers

Two Tiarnan McNicholl goals helped Carrick Rangers to a crucial victory over Ballinamallard United in this Friday night encounter at Ferney Park.

The win, only Carrick's second this season, brings Aaron Callaghan's side to within three points of the Mallards, who have now lost five on the bounce.

But despite the eventual outcome, Gavin Dykes' men moved in front on 42 minutes after firing past 'keeper Brian Neeson from around six yards out after being teed up by Adam Lecky.

Rangers levelled before the break, however, when McNicholl grabbed his first of the evening with a strong finish beyond James McGrath after racing clear.

And McNicholl struck again just after the hour when he burst through to get on the end of a long ball to lob McGrath.

Martin Murray made the points safe with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining with a calmly converted spot-kick after T.J. Murray had been brought down by Jason McCartney.