Highlights: Honours even in an entertaining game at Taylors Avenue

Paul Kelly
BBC Sport NI contributor

A four-goal thriller saw Carrick Rangers and Linfield share the points at a sunny Taylors Avenue.

Kobei Moore gave Linfield an early lead with his third goal in an many games before Paul Heatley equalised midway through the first half with a tidy finish of his own.

Matthew Fitzpatrick re-established the Blues' advantage five minutes before the break with a long-range strike, before Danny Gibson levelled again for the home side early in the second half.

Nathan Gartside saved Chris Shields' penalty in the 62nd minute in what proved to be a vital intervention.

Gartside save proves vital

The visitors started the game on top, and their bright start was rewarded with a goal on 11 minutes.

Moore was afforded time and space in the middle of the park to travel forward, before firing a pinpoint left-footed strike into the bottom corner past a helpless Gartside after a touch of fortune from a ricochet.

Carrick weren't behind for long and levelled midway through the first half through Heatley, who calmly passed the ball beyond Chris Johns after latching onto Jimmy Callacher's long headed clearance.

Matthew Snoddy came to the hosts' rescue minutes later, clearing Kitt Nelson's strike off the line, with Johns then saving another Heatley shot straight up the other end.

In an end-to-end first half, the Blues had the last say as Fitzpatrick found a way past Gartside at his near post to restore the visitors' lead before the break from outside the area.

The hosts levelled for the second time just seven minutes into the second half as Gibson rose to meet Heatley's cross to head past Johns who was rooted to his spot.

Shields had the opportunity to put his side in front for a third time from the penalty spot after Kym Nelson brought Rhys Brennan to ground, but Gartside tipped his penalty around the post at full stretch with a superb right-hand stop.

What the managers said

Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter: "It was everything and more. 2-2 and chances aplenty. There were probably two or three more big chances for both teams in the game.

"A penalty for Linfield and probably a penalty denied for us, but that's the way it goes.

It was a thrilling game with two teams who played it in the right manner and the right spirit. Everybody is shaking hands at the end which is how the game should be played."

Linfield boss David Healy: "We were fortunate once or twice, particularly in the second half with the moments they had.

"We probably weren't clinical enough with some of the moments that we had in the first and second half, which is a little frustrating.

"We led the game twice but never really looked as if we were in real control of it."