Irish Premiership: Carrick Rangers 0-1 Ards

Ards picked up their first points of the Irish Premiership season thanks to Scott Davidson's late winner in Tuesday's game away to Carrick Rangers.

Both teams had been reduced to 10 men when Davidson headed the ball in from close-range after Carrick keeper Harry Doherty had made two fine blocks.

Ards were the first to have a man sent-off when Kyle Cherry got a straight red for a late tackle in the 62nd minute.

Four minutes later Mark Surgenor was dismissed for a second booking.

Surgenor had been booked for a foul early in the second half and, after referee Lee Tavinder consulted an assistant, the former Ballymena defender was sent off after a rash 66th-minute tackle on Johnny Frazer.

Ards scored the only goal in the 88th minute to end their run of four opening defeats in the league.

Davy McAllister's initial shot was saved by Doherty who also got his hand to Davidson's follow up but the Ards sub was there to nod in at the second attempt.

Carrick almost equalised in stoppage-time but Greg Hall cleared off the line from Dale Malone.

What they said

Ards manager Colin Nixon: "I am overjoyed for the whole club because we really deserved it.

"We have been on a bad run but tonight we got that little bit of luck.

"I am not going to get involved in the referee's decision. I didn't think it was a red card for Kyle but it has been given and we cannot do anything about it."

Carrick boss David McAlinden: "It was a tough battle which is what we expected against Ards and I don't think we deserved to win or lose really.

"For Mark Surgenor's red card, the referee said his linesman gave it as a reckless foul."