Stephen Baxter made 2 changes from the side that won in the County Antrim Shield on Tuesday evening, Nathan Gartside returning between the sticks with Ryan McKay in at left-back.
The 'Gers started the game brightly, and for most of the first half were the team in possession but were unable to create any real clear goal-scoring opportunities to go in at half-time in the lead. Paul Heatley, Ryan Waide and Danny Gibson all got in behind the Ports defence, but the final ball was lacking with Adam Lecky awaiting in the box.
Lecky would come closest to scoring at the start of the second half, an initial shot saved by Aaron McCarey with the follow up shot coming back off the crossbar, Paul Heatley then tried to reach the loose ball but was unable to poke the ball in before it was cleared. The possession balance then reversed, with Portadown having more of the ball and they capitalised in the 54th minute, Stephen McCullough crossing from the left hand side for the ball to deflect to Ben Wylie on the edge of the area, who poked home past Nathan Gartside.
The Ports weren't ahead for long, as Carrick broke through four minutes later in what was their best attack of the afternoon, first Heatley then Lecky back-heeling the ball into Ryan Waide who ran into the box before being brought down by Divin Isamala. Jack Scott stepped up and sent McCarey the wrong way to level the score.
Nathan Gartside then kept Rangers level, pushing a Wylie strike over the bar, before Portadown regained the lead on 69 minutes, this time James Teelan crossing from the left hand side to find Eamon Fyfe who rose highest to head home.
Carrick pushed to find a leveller and thought they had one with the last kick of the game, Joe Crowe sent in a free-kick from the left hand side for Adam Lecky to head the ball back across goal before Jimmy Callacher headed in, but the goal was ruled out for Callacher being in an offside position.
The 'Gers head to Windsor Park next Saturday, taking on Linfield for the first time this season, kick-off is at 3pm.
