'You've got to find a way to win': Carrick Rangers into top-six after winning five-goal thriller against Bangor
Whilst admitting elements of his side’s performance were “rubbish” in the first half – Stephen Baxter outlined how Carrick Rangers managed to find a way of overcoming Bangor and move up to sixth in the Sports Direct Premiership table.
Carrick were made to work for their win as they came from behind to pick up all three points against the Seasiders in difficult playing conditions.
The visitors took the lead on 15 minutes when a cross into the area allowed defender Lewis Francis to sweep home from close range.
However, Carrick rallied to not only equalise but lead at the break as Billy Joe Burns and Ryan McKay both converted.
But Bangor replied for 2-2 when Ben Cushnie fired beyond Scott Pengelly just seven minutes after the restart.
The five-goal thriller would ultimately go in Carrick’s favour as Adam Lecky fired in at the second attempt as the Amber Army continued their impressive run of form.
"First half we were absolutely rubbish,” Baxter told Carrick Rangers’ social media platforms.
"We were off the game, we didn't get tight to people, we left spaces around the football pitch that we hadn't been leaving.
"We invited them on to us and that's not us and they heard that from me at half-time.
“How we got 2-1 in front, I'll never know."
He added: “You've seen in the team over the last number of weeks...this desire to fight their way back into the game, and of course, big Lecks (Adam Lecky) who is on hot at the moment.
“We had to fight for our lives, defend the lead and those conditions were atrocious out there tonight.”
Baxter also pin-pointed how his side’s string of results is like “a fairytale” as they enter the top-six.
“To take ourselves from 11th position to 6th position in a matter of a month is stuff of fairytales.” he added.
“So we're very pleased with what we're doing and very pleased with the team.
"The standard you hear me giving off now about little things, but that's the focus that has to be there to get you to where you need to be and we're showing that in what we're doing right now.
“You'll never play your best stuff all the time – you've got to find a way to win.”