Irish Premiership: King labels Bolger incident a 'disgrace' as Carrick denied by nine-man Larne
- Published
Highlights: Honours even between Carrick and nine-man Larne in feisty derby
Carrick boss Stuart King says Steven Gordon was injured after being struck by Larne's Cian Bolger in the 1-1 derby draw which saw the Inver side finish with nine men.
Bolger was sent-off while King revealed that Gordon sustained a "big shiner" and is struggling to hear in one ear.
"I think it's a disgrace - I don't want to see that on a football pitch, it's not right," said King.
Matthew Carson's opener for Carrick was cancelled out by Lee Lynch.
Larne substitute Andy Scott was also red-carded with four minutes remaining in an ill-tempered encounter at Taylor's Avenue.
The draw moves Rangers four points clear of the relegation play-off spot while Larne remain in fifth place.
Lee Bonis squandered a first-minute opening for Larne before they were reduced to 10 men after nine minutes when Bolger lashed out at Gordon, who was marking him at a corner.
Lee Lynch celebrates after levelling for Larne at Taylor's Avenue
Gordon was forced off as a result but Carrick were in front five minutes later as a flick-on from a throw found Carson and he rifled beyond Conor Devlin and into the bottom corner to notch up his first goal for the club.
Larne still carried a threat with 10 men and they equalised after 38 minutes with the ball coming out to an unmarked Lynch on the right side of the box and he smashed it low and hard into the bottom corner from 10 yards.
A dull, scrappy second half finally came to life when Rangers striker Emmett McGuckin met a free-kick but but volleyed wide and it was quickly followed by Carrick skipper David Cushley sending a dipping strike flying just off-target.
A number of melees erupted in the final 10 minutes with the final one starting with Scott and Ben Tinley clashing close to the corner flag.
Referee Raymond Crangle brandished a red card for the second time as Scott was sent off before Larne held on to to secure a point.
King revealed after the game that Thomas Scully, who was stretchered off in the second half, may have broken his ankle.
Delight for Matthew Carson are putting Rangers in front in the derby
"I thought we were very good and on another day would have won as we had some great chances," added the Rangers manager.
Larne boss Tiernan Lynch said he did not see the red-card incidents so would not comment on them but he praised his team's commitment.
He added "It's a night of mixed emotions. As far as work rate and effort is concerned I couldn't ask for any more but our discipline let us down badly."
