Irish League Football

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Carrick Rangers will play in a first County Antrim Shield final in 33 years after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Larne.

Adam Lecky gave Carrick a first-half lead at Taylors Avenue, but Ryan Nolan equalised to send the game to extra time.

The sides could still not be separated, and there was drama to come in the shootout.

Larne, who won the Shield for four years in a row until last season's final defeat by Glentoran, and Carrick both scored their opening penalties through Chris Gallagher and Jack Scott.

Conor McKendry then converted for Larne, but Rohan Ferguson then saved from Joe Crowe.

Sean Graham netted for Larne and Ferguson's second save, this time from Danny Gibson, put Gary Haveron's side on the brink of the final.

But things took a turn when Jordan McEneff was denied by Nathan Gartside, and Aidan Steele converted.

Gartside then saved from Ferguson, and Paul Heatley sent the shootout to sudden death.

Cormac Austin struck the post for Larne, and there was wild celebrations as Jimmy Callacher converted to send Carrick to the final.

The second semi-final between Ballymena United and Cliftonville takes place on Tuesday, 25 November.

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Bangor assistant manager John Douglas says he thought it would have been "unfair for either team to come away with three points" in Saturday's 1-1 draw between the sides at Shamrock Park.

Eamon Fyfe opened the scoring for the Ports in the first half, with Ben Arthurs equalising soon after the interval.

"Throughout the game both teams gave absolutely everything and largely cancelled each other out. By the end, a draw felt like the fairest outcome for both sides," Douglas told BBC Sport NI.

"We were disappointed with our first-half performance. At half-time Lee challenged the players because we knew we could be a lot better.

"We were very predictable in how we were playing, so we talked about changing things up, adding more movement, positivity and interplay. I thought we showed that in the second half."

Portadown manager Niall Currie said his side "were disappointed to come away with only a point".

"I felt we deserved all three," said the Ports boss. "We had the best chances but fell asleep for two minutes at the start of the second half and got punished.

"We really should have been coming off at half-time in a very strong position. We should have had the game over by the break but we switched off for those first few minutes of the second half and paid for it.

"After that, it became a bit of a lottery, end-to-end. It is what it is, it's a point. We're not over the moon, but it's not the end of the world."

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Glenavon manager Michael O'Connor said to concede two goals in two minutes during their 4-1 defeat against Crusaders at Seaview was "unacceptable".

The Lurgan Blues are now 10 points adrift at the bottom of the table with the Crues now moving ahead of Portadown on goal difference.

Fraser Bryden netted three times before Kyle McClelland made it 3-1, but the Scottish striker sealed the Crues' first home win when he scored his fourth on 82 minutes.

"You concede one and sort of regroup, but to concede two goals in two minutes is unacceptable," O'Connor told BBC Sport NI.

"It is not good enough and I told them that there."

The Lurgan Blues came into the game after beating Glentoran 3-1 last weekend in O'Connor's second victory at the helm.

However, the results today mean that Glenavon are further adrift at the bottom with the Ports now occupying 11th with 16 points.

"I thought for the first 25 minutes we were the better team and then the two goals in two minutes killed us," O'Connor continued.

"At half-time I told the boys that 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline and to have a go and I thought for the next 20 minutes in the second half we had a go.

"They didn't have to work hard for their goals; we sort of gave them then."

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Crusaders striker Fraser Bryden says he is 'delighted' after his four goals secured the three points for Declan Caddell's side against Glenavon.

Bryden broke the deadlock on 32 minutes when he fired home Elliot Dunlop's cross before netting his second just one minute later.

The 21-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 71st minute for his 12th goal of the campaign.

Kyle McClelland did pull one back for Michael O'Connor's side, but Bryden scored his fourth with eight minutes to go to secure Crusaders' first home victory of the season.

"I am delighted, it was an important game today," Bryden told BBC Sport NI.

"We knew how important it would be to get the three points and to come away with the three points, first home win of the season and to score all four as well, I am buzzing.

"The first 30 minutes were cagey, both teams looked quite nervous but once we got to grips with the game, we got into spaces and caused Glenavon problems."

The result moves the Crues out of the bottom-two on goal difference with the Scottish striker's four goals meaning that he leapfrogs Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin and is now the league's top goalscorer.

This is also the second time that Bryden has secured the match ball after netting three against Bangor earlier in the season.

"I have been loving life since I moved over to Belfast," Bryden continued.

"All the boys have been brilliant with me and it is even better than I am scoring."

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Friday's planned NIFL Premiership game between Glentoran and Carrick Rangers is postponed.

Northern Ireland's U21 1-0 win over Latvia took place at the Oval on Thursday, but following a pitch inspection on Friday morning, the surface was deemed unplayable following heavy rainfall in Belfast over the past few days.

An announcement on the date of the re-fixture will be made in due course.

"Glentoran Football Club can confirm that, following a pitch inspection, tonight's Sports Direct Premiership fixture against Carrick Rangers at the BetMcLean Oval has been postponed," the club said in a statement.

"A new date for the fixture will be confirmed in due course, and we will communicate updated arrangements to supporters as soon as they are available.

"All tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled fixture."

As it stands, Saturday's games will proceed as planned with Crusaders set to host Glenavon at Seaview and Portadown welcoming Bangor to Shamrock Park.

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Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin has bolstered his midfield options with the signing of former Scotland international Dylan McGeouch on a short-term deal.

The 32-year-old had spells with Celtic and Rangers at youth level before making a return to Celtic Park where he began his senior career.

Twice capped by Scotland, McGeouch moved on to Hibernian where he helped the club win the Scottish Cup before spells with Sunderland, Aberdeen, Forest Green Rovers and Carlisle United.

A free agent since the summer, McGeouch is delighted to restart his career in Ballymena where he hopes to add to his medal collection.

"The opportunity came up to talk to the guys behind the scenes here and I jumped at the chance to be able to come and help this squad and club going forward," he told the Ballymena United website.

"Experience is something hopefully I can bring on and off the pitch. I've been at a lot of good clubs and still think I have a lot to give.

"One of the selling points was that the club have a lot to play for. We're looking to compete and get into that top six, along with the cup competitions and it's exciting times."

The Braidmen's injury list prompted manager Ervin to act now and he is happy to have someone of McGeouch's experience arrive at The Showgrounds.

"It's well documented the injury list we have and it seems to be increasing week by week, so it's great to get another body available to us, but it's more about the experience he brings," Ervin said.

"He's one we've been looking at for a number of weeks and he's come in as a free agent so is able to play straight away.

"The desire Dylan showed when we started conversations struck me straight away. He could've held fire to see what came up in January, but he was happy with what we discussed with him. He's a quality player and we're looking forward to seeing him on the pitch."

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Coleraine striker Matthew Shevlin has been awarded the Irish Premiership's player of the month for October by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

Shevlin scored four league goals in the month against Portadown and Linfield, while he also netted twice against former club Ballymena United.

By scoring a double against Ballymena, the 26-year-old reached the landmark of 100 goals for Coleraine.

It is the third time the striker has won the prestigious award.

"It's been a fantastic few weeks for me because I have been scoring goals and helping the team to win games, so this award is a nice way to top that off," Shevlin sad.

"I also scored my 100th goal for Coleraine during October, which was a nice moment. However, results are what matters."

Shevlin's goals have helped Ruaidhri Higgins' Bannsiders move to the top of the Irish Premiership table.

"We have experienced players in the dressing room who have won leagues at other clubs, and I think that will really help us in the second half of the season," Shevlin added.

"Personally, I'm desperate to be part of a club that wins a league title. I was part of a Linfield squad that won it, but I don't really count that as I didn't play too much.

"We just need to take every game as it comes."

Runner-up was Bangor defender Reece Neale, while Dungannon Swifts striker Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe was third.

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree said his side conceded " very soft goals" during their 2-0 loss against Cliftonville at Solitude.

After a goalless first half, Cliftonville made the breakthrough on 51 minutes when Jonny Addis fired home from close range for his second league goal of the season.

The home side doubled their lead in the 69th minute as Jack Keaney curled a free-kick low into the bottom-left corner.

"I thought the first half was even enough, to be honest," McAree told BBC Sport NI.

"I was relatively confident at half-time and in the second half, we started slowly and Cliftonville started well.

"We conceded two very soft goals. We've got to do better from the set-piece and we can't give away such a cheap free-kick on the edge of the box either."

The Swifts had enjoyed a good run of form in the last number of weeks and had registered six victories in their last seven league games.

However, the defeat is their second loss of the week after being knocked out of the BetMcLean Cup by Moyola Park.

"There has to be accountability among the players," McAree continued.

"They'll accept that because they're an honest group and a good group.

"That 15- or 20-minute spell in the second half really killed us today."

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Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin said he is "over the moon" after his side overcame Bangor by 3-2 thanks to Success Edogun's stoppage-time goal at Clandeboye Park.

Goals from Ben Arthurs and Jay Boyd levelled the match after an own goal and Matthew Clarke's strike had put the away side ahead.

Edogun scored the vital goal in the 94th minute when he was on hand to convert Clarke's cross.

"For the players, I am over the moon," Ervin told BBC Sport NI

"We have shown a different side to ourselves today with the character, resilience and ability to bounce back."

The dramatic victory puts to an end Ballymena's run of four league games without a victory.

However, all four of those fixtures were against full-time teams with Ervin adding those games "won't define" their season.

"It is no disgrace losing to any of those four full-time clubs, you always want to pick up points but that won't define your season," Ervin continued.

"It is important that we come away from home to places like Clandeboye and grind out a result and that is what we have done today."

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Bangor manager Lee Feeney said his side are "hurting" after Success Edogun's 94th minute goal secured all three points for Ballymena United at Clandeboye Park.

An own goal from Reece Neale and Matthew Clarke's strike gave Ballymena a 2-0 lead, but the Seasiders responded and netted through Ben Arthurs and Jay Boyd.

However, the goals weren't done there as, deep into additional time, Edogun converted Clarke's cross from close range.

"The boys are hurting in there and rightly so because they gave everything," Feeney told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought we could have gone on and won the game, and I think most people in the ground would have thought that.

"We know football isn't like that and sometimes be smart, and the cross came in, it should never have come in."

Edogun's goal is the second stoppage time winner that the Seasiders have been defeated by recently after conceding in the closing stages of their match against Carrick Rangers in the last round of Premiership fixtures.

Despite a tough couple of weeks, Bangor sit sixth in the table, ahead of the Sky Blues on goal difference.

"That's the disappointing thing, their three goals are so avoidable," Feeney continued.

"We have been defending well, but it is a sucker punch to concede again in the last minute."

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Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins said his side "were second best for 65 minutes" during their 1-1 draw with Linfield at Windsor Park.

Matthew Shevlin scored in additional time to cancel out Matthew Fitzpatrick's bicycle kick.

However, despite having a two-man advantage at the end, the Bannsiders couldn't find another late goal to secure all three points.

"I am extremely frustrated and disappointed with us in the first 65 minutes," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"We were the second best for 65 minutes but, in the last 25 minutes, we were really good and could have nicked it in the end.

"Taking in the first 65 minutes, we will take a point, but we have to be better than what we were in that period and be more like we were in the last 25 minutes."

Coleraine sit top of the table with 33 points and are unbeaten in their last eight games.

The Bannsiders are aiming to clinch their first Premiership title since 1974 with Higgins adding that his side have made "big progress" this season.

"We finished 30 points off Linfield last season, so we are making big progress," Higgins continued.

"We are content with where we are at the minute but as a manager and as coaching staff and players, you always want more, and we have to strive to be better."

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Crusaders manager Declan Caddell said "everything clicked" for his side during their 2-1 victory over Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue.

Goals from Fraser Bryden and Ross Clarke put Crusaders ahead going into the final five minutes.

Paul Heatley did make it a one-goal game against his former club late on, but Crusaders defended resolutely to secure the three points.

"The last couple of weeks have been tough, and the performances haven't been where we want them to be but today was night and day," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.

"It was a complete domination of a football match and we scored two, maybe we should have scored a lot more.

"Everything clicked today. We have been wanting that full performance over 90 minutes and the boys delivered today."

The north Belfast side have struggled with consistency this season and sit in 11th place in the Premiership.

The result also puts to an end their run of three games without a victory.

"We showed a bit of hunger, that has something that has been missing the last two games," Caddell continued.

"To come up here, a really difficult place against a very experienced side, who will put you under pressure, they stood up as men today."

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Linfield manager David Healy said his side "worked hard" during their action-packed 1-1 draw with Coleraine at Windsor Park.

Matthew Fitzpatrick's bicycle kick gave the home side the lead 12 minutes into the second half.

However, Matthew Shevlin netted in additional time to level the game with Ethan McGee and Ben Hall both dismissed late on for the Blues.

"Frustrated, I thought we had done enough to win the game " Healy told BBC Sport NI's Thomas Kane when asked about his thoughts on the game.

"One or two things got away from us today, which is disappointing, but I thought we were good and I thought we worked hard today.

"We probably had the best moments and frustratingly we didn't go and see the game out."

The result is the second draw between the two sides in a matter of weeks after their clash at the Showgrounds ended 2-2.

It was the home side who enjoyed the better chances this time, until the final 20 minutes when Coleraine looked the more likely to snatch all three points.

"Coleraine are well drilled, well organised and probably the best team that has come to Windsor in a good number of years in terms of their squad set-up," Healy continued.

"If we had of been short today, we probably would have lost the game."

Linfield sit in fourth position and are 11 points behind the Bannsiders, but they have three games in hand.

Healy, who celebrated ten years in charge of the Blues last month, added that this is "the toughest and most competitive" season with multiple teams "every inch champions".

"It is the toughest and most competitive," the former Northern Ireland international replied when asked about the league this year.

"Other teams are every inch champions this year when you look at some of the three or four other teams.

"It is a really competitive league this year and days like today when momentum swings, you feel like you have lost something."

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Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton said his side "fully deserved" their 2-0 victory against Dungannon Swifts at Solitude.

After a goalless first half, Jonny Addis' strike from close range gave Cliftonville the lead six minutes after the restart.

On 69 minutes, Jack Keaney's well-timed free-kick gave the home side a more comfortable advantage.

"I'm really delighted," Magilton told BBC Sport NI.

"Dungannon always pose problems for us here, so to win the game and keep a clean sheet is excellent.

"In the second half, I thought we did a really good job and fully deserved the result."

The result means that the Reds now sit on 18 points and are now unbeaten in their last three games.

Keaney's goal was his third goal of the campaign with the 26-year-old firing a low strike into the bottom-left corner.

"It was a wonderful finish," Magilton replied when asked about Keaney's goal.

"He's developed a lovely habit of popping up with important goals and long may that continue."

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter said that Crusaders "were the better team" after the Crues' 2-1 victory at Taylors Avenue.

Fraser Bryden fired Declan Caddell's side ahead in the first half before Ross Clarke's goal doubled their advantage in the second half.

Paul Heatley's late goal for the home side set up a tense finish. However, Carrick couldn't find an equaliser at the end.

"We didn't deserve anything out of the game and Crusaders were the better team by some distance," Baxter told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought Crusaders were first to the ball in the first half, opened up good spaces and were sharper to the ball in the first half.

"The disappointment for me is getting an experienced player sent off in the second half."

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Stephen Baxter has made a double substitution ahead of the second half and brought on Kyle Cherry and Adam Lecky.

However, just nine minutes after the restart, half-time substitute Cherry was sent off for two bookable offences.

"When you bring a player on to bring some stability into midfield, as that is where we lost the battle in the first half, and to get him sent off so early is very disappointing," Baxter continued.

"We were actually better with the 10 men in the second half and we played really well."