‘We didn’t do enough to win the game’ as David Healy believes decisions failed to go in his favour in Linfield’s stalemate at Carrick Rangers

The reigning champions slipped further behind in the title race as neither side could find the breakthrough at Taylors Avenue.

However, the game wasn’t without its controversies as Linfield feel Adam Lecky should have been dismissed for an elbow on Ben Hall, with Blues midfielder Josh Archer then receiving his marching orders after being adjudged to have fouled Paul Heatley who was through on goal with 33 minutes on the clock.

Healy also believes his troops should have been awarded a penalty in the first half for a foul on Isaac Baird which fell on deaf ears.

When asked to sum-up his post-match feelings, Healy told Linfield TV: “We have the top referee in the country in Tim (Marshall), FIFA registered, he's our representation of the league.

“Stephen (Baxter) and Adam (Lecky) will probably have their own opinion on it...he's not that type of lad, whatever it is, but it's violent conduct.

"He lost his temper, he didn't get a decision maybe a minute previously, or 30 seconds previously, and he basically flattened Ben with a straight elbow. I thought he (Marshall) got that wrong.

"I still thought we could have and should have maybe created a few more opportunities, but it's where we are at the minute.

"We're a little bit below confidence levels, which is frustrating.

"You always want your team to come here, especially if you go down to 10 men, and still believe that you can go and win it with one or two little balls in and around - but we know we didn't do enough to go and win the game.

"I thought we should have potentially had a penalty in the first half.

"I know it started outside the box with Paul and Isaac, but having lost a man, you're sort of hoping for some sort of decision to potentially go for you.

"It started outside, it continued inside, and for whatever reason he gave the free kick on the edge of the box.”

Linfield face in-form league leaders Larne next at home and Healy says it is important that they keep “battling”.

He added: “We play the leaders, potential champions, Larne on Friday which presents a real challenge.

"We'll assess the squad that we have tonight, hopefully Ben's OK.

"Ben will need probably five or six stitches in his head but he's not concussed, he should be ready to go again hopefully with the right treatment and care which we'll try and get him up over the next 24 hours.

"Then we will go and get fired into Larne and see where that's going to take us.”