Highlights: Heatley strike helps Carrick edge Portadown

Stephen Alexander
BBC Sport NI contributor

Paul Heatley scored the only goal of the game as David Jeffrey's return to Irish Premiership management with Portadown ended in a 1-0 defeat by Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue

There was controversy inside the opening two minutes Heatley, who had broken through, went down following a tangle with Jack Scott, but referee Steven Gregg waved play on.

However, the Ballyclare official was forced to reach for his red card on 26 minutes to dismiss Portadown's Liam Jessop for a high challenge on Michael Place.

Soon after, Carrick's Danny Gibson smashed a shot against the post and then, in a rare Portadown attack, Eamon Fyfe fired over in a crowded goalmouth.

Carrick came close on the hour mark when Jordan Forsythe's firm header from Benjamin Buchanan-Rolleston cross was superbly turned away by Aaron McCarey.

But just two minutes later Carrick were in front when Gibson's cross from the left was only half-cleared by Rhys Breen and Heatley was on hand to smash a shot past McCarey.

What the managers said

Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Baxter on match-winner Paul Heatley: "He was nimble-footed, class, his brain works so fast. He causes people no end of trouble. If you give him a sight of goal he'll score those goals, he does it in training. He was a joy to watch.

On the victory: "It was a well-deserved win and we were quite a bit ahead today in terms of chances created and we hit the post. On reflection of the game, we were a better side."

Portadown manager David Jeffrey: "The game was no doubt influenced by the sending off. Liam Jessop doesn't have malice bone in his body, there was no intent to injure, but unfortunately his foot was high and by the letter of the law, the referee had no choice because it was deemed dangerous play.

"I though the players kept their heads high and kept working really hard, if they defended the goal a bit better they could have come away with a point today but such is the brilliance of Paul Heatley, he buried it."

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