Ballinamallard United 2 Carrick Rangers 1

Ballinamallard clinched a crucial three points from their basement battle against Carrick Rangers tonight at Ferney Park as Harry McConkey's side moved off the bottom of the table for the first time this season.

The result leaves the Mallards in the driving seat for a play off spot as they now sit two points ahead of Carrick with two games to go.

The home side took the lead through a thumping Shane McGinty drive in the 39th minute to lead 1-0 at the break.

And they doubled their advantage nine minutes into the second half as Sean Noble made the most of a poor attempted clearance by Carrick goalkeeper Harry Doherty to slot home from an acute angle.

Carrick though were back in the game in the 65th minute as Darren Henderson tucked the ball past Richard Brush while Henderson then had a second goal ruled out for offside.

However, the Mallards were able to see out the remainder of the contest comfortably enough and they will now move into their final two games against Ards and Glentoran with renewed confidence.