Shea Kearney's fierce drive takes a clever deflection off Joe Gormley's instinctive flick, nearly catching Nathan Gartside off guard.

The Loughgall keeper shows excellent reflexes to readjust and dive low to his left, denying Gormley a second. Another impressive save from the busy stopper.

Ryan Mayse intercepts a slack pass and finds Josh Ukek, but he can't test Gareth Deane with his resulting strike.

That was a good chance for Niall Currie's side.

Aaron McCarey gets down low to gather Jack Malone's cross into the box.

Can the away side find a leveler?

How has he missed that?

Luke Conlan delivers an inch-perfect cross to find Ronan Doherty unmarked in the six-yard box, but the midfielder somehow contrives to miss with the goal at his mercy.

Doherty buries his head in his hands as the Solitude crowd collectively gasps - that should have been 2-0.

Back underway at Taylors Avenue

Rory Hale shows his creative flair with a delicate flick to release Michael Glynn down the flank.

Glynn looks to pick out the impressive Taylor Steven but puts too much weight on his cross as the ball sails beyond the forward.

Neat build-up play from the Reds fails to produce an end product.

The action resumes at Shamrock Park with no changes at the break.

The second half is underway at Solitude, with Dean Smith making a change at the break - Daire Kelly replacing the late call-up Conor McCloskey.

The hosts will be looking to extend their advantage, while the Villagers need to show more attacking intent if they're to avoid a tenth defeat in their last 13 meetings with the Reds.

It is the end of the first period in Carrickfergus and it has not been a game for the ages.

With the pitch getting heavier with the earlier rainfall, both sides can't be totally blamed for the lack of rhythm in the game.

Emmet McGuckin has had a couple of half chances for the hosts, with Kaelan Dillon going close at the other end. Danny Gibson could have grabbed an opener on the stroke of half-time but missed the target as the half ends goalless.

Ahu Obhakhan's goal in the sixth minute separates the sides at the break.

It's been an even opening 45 minutes and I'm sure there will be two huge team talks occurring before the action resumes.

Ryan Mayse's in-swinging corner is headed over by Baris Altintop from close range.

Joe Gormley's penalty is the difference at the break after Tiernan Kelly's foul on Michael Glynn.

The Reds have dominated proceedings, with Nathan Gartside keeping the score down through several impressive saves.

While organised early on, Dean Smith's side has offered little going forward and faces an uphill battle in the second half.

So close for Rangers.

Emmet McGuckin with the flick-on down the right flank that sends Danny Gibson clear but he fires his effort wide of the near post.

Should have been hitting the target at the very least there.

There will be three minutes of additional time at the end of the first half.

Both teams continue to push forward but have struggled with their finishing touches in the last five minutes meaning neither stopper has had to make a save as of late.

Taylor Steven continues to torment the Loughgall defence, cutting inside from his right-wing position with menace.

The forward creates space for a shot but drags his effort wide of the near post.

It's another warning sign from the Reds, who have played exclusively in the visitor's half since taking the lead.

Forty-three minutes and we finally have the first effort on target.

Swifts player Kealan Dillion takes the ball forward and drives it low and hard from the edge of the area, but Ross Glendinning gets down well to hold onto the ball.

Joe Gormley hammers Cliftonville into the lead from the penalty spot.