With Kurtis Forsythe suspended, Lewis MacKinnon took his place in an otherwise unchanged side from that which had defeated Dungannon Swifts seven days prior.
Carrick started the game brightly and could have gone in front in the first minute as Andy Mitchell’s corner-kick was met by Cameron Stewart at the back post, but after heading the ball into the ground it looped up and went just over the bar.
The visitors continued to enjoy the better of the first half play without creating too many clear cut chances until they broke the deadlock after 34 minutes.
Mitchell’s long throw was first flicked on by Stewart and then Nedas Maciulaitis; the ball eventually breaking in the box for James Teelan to slam in his first goal since joining the ‘Gers on loan from Crusaders in January.
However, it would take Dean Smith’s men just four minutes to respond.
After a shot from Andy Hoey was pushed behind for a corner by ‘keeper Ross Glendinning, the resulting delivery found the midfielder free at the far post to nod in the leveller.
The back-and-forth exchange of goals continued three minutes later as Rangers restored their lead.
James Carroll’s foul presented the away side with a centrally positioned free-kick around 25 yards from goals; Mitchell stepped up and after his shot was spilled by goalkeeper Berraat Turker, the predatory Danny Gibson was quickest to react and slot the loose ball home.
A slip in defence from Carroll then saw Teelan gain possession in a dangerous position; he opted to cross for Gibson in the middle whose low shot was held by the diving Turker.
However, Gibson did find his second of the afternoon less than a minute into the second period.
Latching onto David Cushley’s long ball, the striker got past Carroll on the right flank before cutting into the box and beating Turker at his near post to bag his brace.
Gibson was again at the forefront of a Carrick attack, this time a counter-attack, soon after; having advanced to just outside the penalty area, he passed the ball inside to Teelan who took a touch before firing high at goal, forcing Turker to tip the ball over the net.
At the other end, Benji Magee almost added his name to the scoresheet only to see his effort from the left channel of the box come back off the outside of the post.
The Villagers began to assume control as the contest entered its final stages and were able to reduce the deficit on 77 minutes; Hoey driving a well-placed shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Substitute Nathaniel Ferris then somehow squandered a chance to draw his side level when he headed Pablo Andrade’s cross wide from five yards, only to make amends in the first minute of additional time by netting the equaliser.
Carrick failed to clear their lines following a corner-kick and were made to pay the price when Andrade’s shot was parried by Glendinning and Ferris was on hand to convert the rebound and ensure the spoils were shared.
Loughgall: Berraat Turker; Ally Teggart (Jordan Gibson, 74), Luke Cartwright, James Carroll, Jamie Rea; Pablo Andrade, Oran Brogan (Robbie Norton, 74), Andy Hoey, Caolan McAleer (Alberto Balde, 76); Benji Magee (Leon Boyd, 76), Ryan Waide (Nathaniel Ferris, 76).
Unused substitutes: Daniel Devine, Mark Carson.
Bookings: James Carroll (40’), Benji Magee (67’), Nathaniel Ferris (90+2’)
Carrick Rangers: Ross Glendinning; Lewis MacKinnon, Albert Watson, Cameron Stewart, Ben Buchanan-Rolleston; Andy Mitchell (Will Arnold, 87), Joe Crowe (Steven Gordon, 75); James Teelan, David Cushley (Emmett McGuckin, 81), Nedas Maciulaitis (Curtis Allen, 87); Danny Gibson.
Unused substitutes: Ben McCauley, Jaydyn Withers, Ben Tilney.
Bookings: Ben Buchanan-Rolleston (45+3’), Danny Gibson (74’), Steven Gordon (90+2’)
Referee: Ben McMaster
