Carrick Rangers boss Stuart King: Danny Purkis is Glentoran’s loss and our gain

Carrick Rangers 2 Glentoran 1

Carrick Rangers match-winner Danny Purkis celebrates scoring during his team’s victory over his former club Glentoran

Carrick Rangers striker Danny Purkis bids to escape the attention of Glentoran midfielder Fuad Sule

Nedas Maciulaitis delivered the equaliser for Carrick Rangers en route to a famous victory over Glentoran

Carrick Rangers boss Stuart King hailed the influence of Danny Purkis on his Carrick Rangers team

Glentoran fans vent their frustration after watching their team fall to defeat against Carrick Rangers

Stuart King hailed Danny Purkis as the best striker on the park on Saturday when Carrick Rangers beat Glentoran at the Loughview Leisure Arena.

The Glens raced into an early lead as Marcus Kane fired home after just three minutes of an entertaining encounter at Taylor’s Avenue.

The visitors had chances to extend their lead in the first half but found Ross Glendinning equal to shots from Niall McGinn, Shay McCartan and Bobby Burns.

The tables were turned after the break as Carrick scored two goals in two minutes to condemn Glentoran to a second successive defeat in the Sports Direct Premiership.

Man of the Match Purkis was pivotal to the outcome, setting up Nedas Maciulaitis for Carrick’s first goal on 69 minutes, then slotting home the second at the back post two minutes later.

Carrick Rangers striker Danny Purkis bids to escape the attention of Glentoran midfielder Fuad Sule

The 28-year-old, who left The BetMcLean Oval in the summer, is in red-hot form at present, having scored long-range worldies in successive games against Glenavon and Larne last month.

His winner on Saturday was his fifth of the season to date, two more than top scorers for Glentoran Jay Donnelly, Niall