Paul Heatley scored one equaliser then created another for Danny Gibson as Carrick Rangers finished with a share of the spoils despite trailing twice to Linfield in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Kobei Moore and Matthew Fitzpatrick fired Linfield in front at 1-0 and 2-1 before Chris Shields’ attempt to create a third lead was stopped by a wonderful Nathan Gartside penalty save.

Here’s the post-match verdict of Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Baxter:

OVERALL VIEW ON PERFORMANCE...

placeholder image — Carrick Rangers goalkeeper Nathan Gartside with a superb save to deny Linfield's Chris Shields off the penalty spot in a 2-2 draw at Taylors Avenue. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

"It was a thrilling game of football.

"We sat off Linfield a little bit too much for my liking in the first half.

"I'd be more pleased at the manner of how we've responded.

"We've gone behind in this game twice and we've come back very strong twice and nearly took the game away at the end.

"It was like the parting of the Red Sea (1-0)...it opens up, he drives through, somebody makes a tackle and it kicks off him and it actually falls for him and it runs back into his path.

"But, let's be fair, he smashed it home.

"The second Linfield goal I was furious about...Fitzpatrick dropped off and nobody goes with him.

"The shot on the angle that comes in from 20-25 yards and beats our goalkeeper in the near post...a very disappointing goal to concede.

"I said we've got to come in and really impose ourselves on the second half, to take the game a little bit more to Linfield and stop being frightened of going into good areas of the football pitch as a total unit as opposed to three or four individuals.

"We certainly attacked way better in the second half and we were outstanding in the second half.

"We're second-highest goalscorers in this campaign...I think we're first for the calendar year of 2026.

"So that says a lot about what we're doing attacking...we need to tighten up a little bit in the defence and I think you can leave yourself a little bit open when you attack that much.

"But that says something about our goal threat...we're carrying a goal threat.”

PENALTY SAVE...

“I had some serious words with the defending of that goal (2-0)...at half-time I asked our goalkeeper to buck up and make amends in the second half and make himself a hero.

"He does that particularly well with the save, a worthy save from the penalty kick.

"That will please him - and please me that he responded well.”

THE VERDICT: All you need to know about Carrick Rangers 2 Linfield 2 - Dazzling ...

LATE TALKING POINTS...

“We looked like we were going to win the game...Danny (Gibson) cuts in nicely and flicks it across the front of the goal, I thought that was going to end up in the back of the net (Ben Hall clearance off the line).

"But it doesn't.

"We have a big penalty shoot as well...the (Adam) Lecky one.

"That's a disappointment in that regard...that's football, you just have to accept it and move on.”