Stuart King hails Nedas Maciulaitis as super-sub gives Carrick Rangers comeback win over Dungannon Swifts

Dungannon Swifts 2 Carrick Rangers 3

Nedas Maciulaitis came off the bench to fire Carrick to victory over Dungannon

Stuart King praised the reaction of Nedas Maciulaitis after the striker inspired a stirring Carrick comeback.

The 24-year-old had started the game on the bench but ended it as the match-winner.

His two fine finishes against Dungannon made it back-to-back wins for Carrick in the Sports Direct Premiership.

King said: “Nedas was annoyed with me because I didn’t think he was good enough on Tuesday night. But he’s given me an absolutely brilliant reaction to being disappointed at not starting the game, and he deserves massive credit for that.”

King had opted to start David Cushley, who impressed in the midweek BetMcLean Cup defeat to Newry, but he went off with a knock in the first half.

That opened the door for Maciulaitis, who scored the second and third goals at Stangmore Park.

King, who dedicated the win to former chairman David Hilditch, who died last weekend, added: “I made a call because I thought Cushley did really well on Tuesday night.

“I’ve got good players when everybody is fit, but Nedas has come on today and given me the response I wanted.

“I’ve got Emmett McGuckin, Curtis Allen, Danny Purkis, Nedas and David - they’re five really good Irish League footballers.

“I can’t play five centre-forwards, so it is about taking your chances when they come, and Nedas has done that today.”

Carrick had deservedly trailed to Dean Curry’s 14th minute header in a first half dominated by Dungannon.

But a penalty award five minutes into the second half swung the momentum and started the comeback.

Allen went down in the box after a challenge from Niall Owens, with referee Jamie Robinson pointing to the spot. As the