The first half lacked in many clear cut chances, with Crusaders enjoying more of the ball until just before the break when Fraser Bryden put the visitors ahead. A wayward strike by Lloyd Anderson which Bryden deflected goalwards looked to have been fantastically saved by ‘Gers keeper Nathan Gartside, but the assistant referee adjudged the ball to have crossed the line leaving Carrick down 1-0 at the break.
Following two changes at the break, Baxter introducing Adam Lecky and Kyle Cherry, Cherry was shown yellow three minutes in for a challenge on Crues Jarlath O’Rourke. Six minutes later Cherry would receive his marching orders, a second yellow for an off the ball incident with Kurtis Forsythe. Crusaders then began to grab hold of the game, with periods of dominance in possession. Despite this, Carrick still managed a penalty shout that was turned down and a shot from Paul Heatley that was just off target.
Crusaders then capitalised on their man advantage in the 65th minute through Ross Clarke finishing off a chance that was set up well by Elliot Brooks and Adam Dunlop. As Crusaders dropped into a more defensive shape, being up a man and two goals, ‘Gers pushed to create an opportunity. The closest a scramble in the Crusaders box on 75 minutes that ended up being cleared for a corner, the resulting corner headed over by Jimmy Callacher.
In the 83rd minute, Gartside did well to save a Crusaders chance that would’ve put the game to bed, four minutes later Joe Crowe played a ball over the Crusaders defence that Paul Heatley chased down using his power and pace to beat the defender, slotting the ball under Tuffey and into the back of the net to give the ‘Gers a glimmer of hope of salvaging a point.
Crusaders were pushed in final minutes as Carrick tried to find the leveller, the final chance coming in stoppage time with a strike by Jimmy Callacher being deflected over the bar.
The ‘Gers face a trip to The Oval next Friday in Belfast to take on Glentoran. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
