Cliftonville claimed back-to-back victories in emphatic fashion as they beat Carrick Rangers 7-1 at Solitude.

Liam McStravick opened the scoring before Danny Gibson briefly drew Carrick level, only for Brian Healy, Rory Hale and Ben Quinn to put the Reds firmly in control by half-time.

Healy added his second in the 58th minute before substitute Rhyss Campbell struck twice to complete the scoring.

The victory was Cliftonville's first at home in the league since the 5 September and the first time they have scored seven in a game since 2014.

The home side made the breakthrough after nine minutes when Carrick failed to clear McStravick's drive following a one-two with Quinn, allowing the winger to regain possession and convert from close range.

That advantage lasted just five minutes as Jimmy Callacher headed Paul Heatley's free-kick into Gibson's path, with the striker rising highest to nod past PJ Morrison and haul the visitors level.

The Reds soon regained the initiative, restoring their lead on 22 minutes when Alex Bannon's through ball released Healy and, after Nathan Gartside denied him at the first attempt, McStravick retrieved possession down the right and cut the ball back for Healy to finish at the second attempt.

Back in front, Cliftonville gave themselves breathing space just after the half-hour mark as McStravick exchanged passes with Quinn on the edge of the area before crossing to the back post for Hale to convert for the second game in a row.

There was little respite for the away side as Jim Magilton's men added a fourth just two minutes later, with McStravick releasing Joe Sheridan down the right for the midfielder to pick out Quinn, who headed home from close range.

The hosts extended their lead after the restart when Aaron Wightman picked out Healy between the Carrick defence, allowing the frontman to rifle into the top corner for his seventh of the season.

The goals kept coming and in the 73rd minute substitute Campbell met Dean McMaster's corner at the back post with a deft flicked finish.

He then rounded off the scoring with his second late on by taking advantage of the space afforded him to pick his spot and curl a composed finish into the bottom corner.

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton: "It was pretty emphatic. The first 20 minutes were competitive, we scored a really good goal and then we switched off from a set piece and carried them back into the game.

!Given their quality and experience, you are turning it into a real game of football, but some of our play, our movement and some of the goals were fantastic. It felt like something like this was going to happen for us because our recent run of form has been good. Going to Dungannon last week was a major turning point, so we had to back it up today, and it was a great performance and a delight for the players."

Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter: "It was not a difficult afternoon, it was a very even game and very well played for 20 minutes. We probably had two great chances with Danny Gibson where he could have scored a hat-trick, but he missed those opportunities and then Cliftonville had a 10-minute spell where they cut us open and scored goals at a vital time to go 4-1 up.

"You take your hat off to Cliftonville, they played excellent football, passed us off the park and were absolutely excellent in their movement, passing and quality. They were quite a bit better than us today and while we made mistakes and tired, that is not an excuse because they were very good and punished us."