Eight goals conceded on the way to back-to-back league defeats

Carrick Rangers manager Kieran Harding. Pic by Pacemaker.

Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Portadown marked a performance described by Carrick boss Kieran Harding as 'poor as we've been this season'.

Rangers now sit 10th in the Danske Bank Premiership standings after a return of four points from six fixtures.

Only Ballinamallard United and a Portadown side suffering from a 12-point Irish Football Association deduction sit below Carrick in the league table.

Rangers will attempt to build on the season’s sole league positive - a win away to Glentoran - with another road trip this weekend.

Carrick visit Coleraine Showgrounds on Saturday aiming to arrest a slump in form that has resulted in back-to-back league defeats, with four goals conceded to both Portadown and Ballymena United.

Those defeats arrived following a boost in form thanks to the Glentoran success away to The Oval and a draw at home to Ballinamallard United.

“We know we have a few to come back into the squad from injury,” said Harding. “But we need to get it sorted quickly otherwise we will find ourselves in real trouble.

“We were second-best to everything from start to finish.”