Highlights: Ballymena United 1-1 Carrick Rangers

Stephen Alexander
BBC Sport NI contributor

Ten-man Carrick ended a run of two successive Irish Premiership defeats as they claimed a 1-1 draw with Ballymena United at the Showgrounds.

The home side went in front through Igor Rutkowski in the opening seconds of the second period following a dreadful defensive mix-up.

However, Carrick levelled within eight minutes as Aidan Steele nodded home a Danny Gibson cross.

Stephen Baxter's side were reduced to 10 men in the second period when defender Kym Nelson was shown a straight red card for a tackle, but Ballymena were unable to find a winning goal and are now without a league victory since the opening day of the season.

10-man Carrick hold on to draw with Sky Blues

Ballymena started brightly with Rutkowski making ground inside the Carrick half before firing a low shot which skidded awkwardly in front of keeper Nathan Gartside who was relieved to grab the ball at the second attempt.

Carrick went close when Nedas Maciulaitis met a cross at full stretch but his effort drifted inches wide of David Walsh's post.

The visitors threatened again when Kyle Cherry had acres of space inside the Ballymena penalty area to line up a shot which Walsh parried into the air with Danny Gibson nodding the rebound wide from close range.

Carrick spurned the clearest opening on 25 minutes when Jordan Forsythe's long thrown was flicked on to the back post where Kyle Cherry arrived unmarked only to fire his shot over the crossbar.

The home side went in front less than 30 seconds into the second half with a goal gifted to them.

There appeared to be little danger as Carrick attempted to play the ball back to safety, but Jimmy Callacher's pass fell between goalkeeper Gartside and defender Nelson, and Rutkowski was alert to steer a first-time shot past the stranded keeper.

Carrick levelled within eight minutes, however, as Danny Gibson's cross from the right saw Aidan Steele beat Walsh with a glancing header.

The game took another twist on 72 minutes when Carrick were reduced to 10 men after referee Louise Thompson showed Nelson a straight red card following a robust challenge on Michael Leetch.

Ballymena threw men forward in the closing stages with Gartside making important saves to deny Chirs McKee and Rutkowski in the closing stages.

Ballymena United boss Oran Kearney: "We've been quick to say when our performances have been good but there were parts of tonight's performance that weren't good.

"It was only after the red card that we built up a head of steam and looked like we could go and do something.

"The first half tonight we weren't at the races. It was probably, along with the second half at Bangor, our worst of the season, we looked way off it.

"The red card obviously changes things, and it was The Alamo for the last 15 minutes where we had three or four really, really big chances to win it."