Carrick Rangers 2 Ballinamallard United 1

Ballinamallard must win a play off against Institute if they are to retain their Premier League status next season. A goal from Ivan Sproule could not save them from a 2-1 defeat against Carrick Rangers, but Warrenpoint's failure to win ensured they avoided the automatic relegation spot and will face the Championship runners up in a two legged tie to decide their fate for next season.

Whitey Anderson opted to bring Stephen O’Flynn back into the starting eleven after his late penalty winner last week. James McKenna once again partnered Emmett Friars in defence with Cathal Beacom also returning to the team.

Despite the nervy occasion it was an open game in the opening minutes. Salley capitalised on a Friars mistake to let Salley in but Stefan McCusker saved his shot, while at the other end Beacom had a free kick blocked and Lafferty fired over from a tight angle.

As the game progressed Carrick started to gain the upper hand and Surgenor headed inches wide minutes after McCusker had made a stunning one handed save to deny McCloskey when a goal looked inevitable.

On 41 minutes Sproule scored his first goal for the club, and it could not have come in a more important match. O’Flynn held up the ball on the right and laid it back to Lafferty, who slid a ball through for Sproule to run clear of the defence and steer a shot under the advancing keeper.

Captain James McKenna picked up an injury and was replaced by Dykes at half time, but the defence looked solid in the early stages of the second half, with goal scoring chances kept to a minimum at either end.

Midway through the half O’Flynn had a chance to settle the nerves of the large travelling support, but after collecting a long ball on the edge of the area he scuffed his shot side of the post. Lafferty was the next to create a chance after a good piece of skill but his shot was saved at the near post.

As the game entered the final ten minutes Carrick pushed forward in search of a goal to boost their survival chances, and they forced a succession of corners. Chines had a header from six yards, but he put it straight into the arms of McCusker.

The home side levelled things though in the 89th minute as as Surgenor headed home and the Mallards were left shell shocked two minutes later as Chines made it 2-1 with an overhead kick.

At this stage, the Mallards were staring at automatic relegation but late drama elsewhere sent them into the play-off.

Warrenpoint looked to be safe as they led Dungannon 1-0 but the Swifts scored in injury time, eventually scrambling home after a penalty was saved.

The upshot was that despite defeat, the Mallards still have a chance to keep their Premier League status via a two leg play-off.