The 28-year-old was quickest to react to force the ball over the line following a frantic finish in the packed Carrick Rangers penalty area as the Championship side clung on desperately.

They had led from the 34th minute when new signing Davy Larmour got his head to a Pedro Delgado corner whipped into the six yard box.

However, Stevie Small's side will get another bite at their Premiership opponents although only a slice of luck in stoppage time earned them that right when a Paul McDowell effort skimmed an upright.

That would have been desperately hard on Rangers who will relish the chance to take the Seagulls back to Taylors Avenue.