Cliftonville exited the County Antrim Shield at the end of a topsy-turvy first round encounter with Carrick Rangers this evening.
Ahead through a Ben Wilson thunderbolt, the Reds found themselves behind at half-time and, though an own goal levelled things up, Carrick went on to find the decisive strike and reach the quarter-finals.
As is customary in the opening phase of the competition, boss Jim Magilton made a number of changes to his line-up, handing debuts to goalkeeper David Odumosu and defender Luke Kenny, while fellow new recruit Conor Pepper made his first start in a team that also saw Chris Curran and Stephen McGuinness in the XI for the first time this season.
After going close early on through a Sam Ashford header, Cliftonville took the lead when Wilson let fly with an unstoppable drive from distance, goalkeeper Ben McCauley given no chance as the ball arrowed into the top corner.
That would prove the last real highlight from a Reds side lacking the intensity and drive they have been synonymous with so far this term and, indeed, they were grateful to Odumosu for a wonder save that prevented Danny Purkis from drawing the hosts level.
There was nothing the on loan keeper could do, however, to keep out Ben Tilney’s equaliser soon later as the full-back cut inside onto his unfavoured right foot and found the net in spectacular style.
Carrick edged in front before the interval when a foul by Kenny earned a penalty kick which Curtis Allen stepped up to convert and, seeking some fresh impetus from the middle of the park, Magilton introduced both Rory Hale and Ronan Doherty from the subs bench early in the second-half.
That led to a notable upturn in Cliftonville’s display but there seemed very little threat of an equaliser until Ashford produced a moment of magic, with neat feet on the left allowing him to shoot from a narrow angle and, though Tilney attempted to rescue the situation after the ball had squeezed past McCauley, the assistant referee ruled that his touch had taken it over the line.
Seeking to build on that momentum, it wasn’t long until the Reds found themselves behind again; Purkis taking advantage of a loose pass from Jonny Addis to race through and convert.
The closest Cliftonville came to forcing a penalty shootout arrived when Hale found himself in on goal only to see his low drive beaten away by McCauley to ensure the hosts held on for the win.
Cliftonville: Odumosu, Pepper (Rory Hale), Addis, Kenny (Casey), Gallagher, C Curran (Doherty), Lowe, Ashford (Berry), Turner, Wilson, McGuinness. Unused subs: Gartside, Jordan, Kearney.