The last victory came on the 27th March 1993 when Brian Robson and Sammy Shields got on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win.
Over three decades later, Stuart King’s men would end not just the long wait for a victory at the North Coast venue but their own run of four consecutive losses, too.
Kurtis Forsythe, Andy Mitchell and Ben Buchanan-Rolleston came into the side following the defeat to Glenavon seven days prior.
After a tame start to proceedings, the best opportunity of the first half fell to the Bannsiders as Jack Scott’s header looped over the visiting backline to find Jamie McGonigle, but his one-on-one effort from twelve yards was well saved by Carrick ‘keeper Ross Glendinning.
Cushley’s long ball then picked out Purkis down the left who cut inside past Stephen O’Donnell before stinging the palms of goalkeeper Rory Brown with a fierce strike; the final chance of note in an otherwise uneventful opening forty-five minutes.
In such a closely contested game the first goal was always going to be crucial and it fell the way of the ‘Gers in the 59th minute.
Purkis, again down the left, got away from Kieran Farren before delivering a cross that bobbled around the penalty area before eventually being scuffed into the near corner of the net by Cushley.
Looking to restore parity, Oran Kearney’s side came close when substitute Lee Lynch’s low shot from the edge of the box was parried by Glendinning before he saved McGonigle’s follow up effort with his foot.
Rangers made sure of their win on 86 minutes; Buchanan-Rolleston’s long ball forward broke in the box for Purkis after he appeared to have pushed Graham Kelly as he proceeded to take full advantage by rounding Brown, evading O’Donnell and clinically firing in.
Coleraine: Rory Brown; Lyndon Kane, Stephen O’Donnell, Kieran Farren (Lee Lynch, 60), Graham Kelly; Conor McKendry, Josh Carson, Jack Scott, Andy Scott (David McDaid, 80); Matthew Shevlin, Jamie McGonigle.
Unused substitutes: Martin Gallagher, Aaron Jarvis, Stephen Lowry, Jack O’Mahony, Ciaran O’Hara.
Bookings: Jack Scott (16’), Conor McKendry (62’), Lyndon Kane (90’)
Carrick Rangers: Ross Glendinning; Lewis MacKinnon, Cameron Stewart, Reece Glendinning; Kurtis Forsythe, Andy Mitchell (Mark Surgenor, 88), Steven Gordon, Ben Buchanan-Rolleston; David Cushley (Kyle Cherry, 64), Nedas Maciulaitis (Will Arnold, 90+1); Danny Purkis (Emmett McGuckin, 90+1).
Unused substitutes: Ben McCauley, Albert Watson, Curtis Allen.
Bookings: Lewis MacKinnon (30’), Kyle Cherry (90+4’), Ross Glendinning (90+6’)
Referee: Keith Kennedy
