Stephen Baxter's Carrick Rangers led for 74 minutes of today's Irish Premiership contest at Taylors Avenue but end up with nothing as Linfield's late salvo moved them five points clear at the top of the table.

Joe Crowe put Carrick ahead after only three minutes and the home side maintained their advantage to the interval with a degree of comfort despite some Blues pressure.

The home side hit the Blues woodwork after the restart as a low David Cushley corner struck a post but the inevitable, typical late Linfield onslaught then materialised as Kyle McClean's 77th-minute leveller was followed moments later by Joel Cooper firing David Healy's side ahead.

For good measure, Chris Shields added an injury-time penalty which was probably a tad harsh on Carrick after their efforts over the 90-something minutes.

The win extends Linfield's advantage over Cliftonville as Carrick remain level on points with bottom-placed Loughgall.

Thanks for joining us on our live text commentary this afternoon. We'll have the match report published very shortly.

Image source, Pacemaker

That is full-time at Taylor's Avenue as Linfield come from behind in the final quarter to take the points.

Image source, Pacemaker

We are now into five minutes of added time.

It's Carrick now looking to force the issue but they haven't made a lot of headway and we've less than two minutes of normal time remaining.

Carrick have made a couple of switches with Joshua Andrews and Mark Surgenor replacing Curtis Allen and Seanan Clucas.

Carrick have just weathered that spell of intense Linfield pressure. We have 15 minutes remaining at Taylors Avenue and the hosts remain on course.

Curtis Allen is now also in the book for a late lunge as Jamie Mulgrew.

Linfield's turn to make a switch as Charlie Allen replaces Ethan McGee.

Joshua Andrews replaces David Cushley for the hosts.

That was very close to the equaliser as Euan East meets a clipped ball into the box but Ben McCauley makes an excellent reflex save to tip over.

Joel Cooper wirth a curling effort this time, but Ben McCauley is well placed to gather.

A corner into the Carrick box causes panic and in the scramble, the ball is forced out for another corner. Linfield turning up the heat now.

Now it's Linfield's turn to press as they win a couple of corners that cause panic but the home defence does enough.

That was nealy a second for the hosts as a low corner from David Cushley ends up coming off the bottom of the post and is cleared. Linfield survive.

Nothing much to report in the first five minutes after the break but Carrick have pushed up more and indeed, have been the team on the front foot so far.