DUNDELA 1 CARRICK RANGERS 1

Carl McCombe’s second-half strike cancelled out Daniel Kelly’s header, leaving both teams a share of the Championship spoils.

Both sides created a few half-chances in the early exchanges but it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Daniel Kelly netted with a stooping close-range header, getting on the end Aaron Smyth’s inviting right-wing cross.

On the half-hour mark, midfielder Damien Curran almost doubled Carrick’s advantage but his a blistering strike from the left zipped past the far post, much to relief of Duns’ stopper Steven McCain.

Five minutes later Dundela’s McCombe found space on the edge of the area but he fired his strike straight at Gareth Deane.

Kyle Cherry’s well-struck free-kick then had Deane at full stretch but the young Linfield loanee was equal to it.

Dundela enjoyed the bulk of possession in what was a largely uneventful opening 15 minutes of the second half, with Carrick having to stay organised in defence.

On 66 minutes, David Bell’s 35-yard dipping effort brought out the best in McKay who produced a stunning finger-tip save to send it wide.

Dundela, who looked more potent in attack in the second session, levelled matters when McCombe fired home with a low shot from close range on 68 minutes.

Carrick’s Abby Sanusi, set up by fellow sub Nathan McConnell, went close on 73 minutes but his right-foot shot from the edge of the 18-yard box flashed narrowly wide of the upright.

McConnell perhaps should have done better 12 minutes from time when, unmarked, he failed to hit the target with a downward header.

The Duns threw everything at Carrick in the final 10 minutes and sub Dwain Beggs must have thought he had snatched a late winner, only for Deane to produce the save of the afternoon, acrobatically tipping his effort over the bar in the last minute.

Dundela: McKay, Murphy (McCullough 45), Davidson, Cherry, Owens, Ferguson, Jackson (Irwin 82), McCain, McCombe (Beggs 77), Halliday, Burns. Subs not used: Collins, Gilliland.

Carrick Rangers: Deane, West, O’Kane, Donaghy, Taggart, Curran, Smith, Harmon, Kelly (McConnell 68), McCloskey (Sanusi 70), Bell. Subs not used: Dougherty, Burns, Lynch.

Referee: Peter McGrath (Newtownabbey).