Highlights: Kamson Kamara goal ignites Glens title charge

Glentoran claimed a vital victory in the race for the Gibson Cup after a nervy 1-0 win over Carrick Rangers at the Oval.

Nathan Gartside produced a stunning double save to keep the sides level at the break in a half that the hosts dominated.

The Glens continued where they left off in the second half, with MJ Kamson Kamara netting the winner late on after Declan Devine's men hit the woodwork three times.

The result sees the home side move second and close the gap to league leaders Larne to five points, with a game in hand.

The home side threatened inside the opening minute as Ryan Cooney clipped a dangerous cross into the box, but just as Pat Hoban shaped to fire goalward, Kyle Cherry stepped in to clear the danger.

Having weathered that early pressure, the visitors responded midway through the first half, but Burns could not convert Cherry's cross after outmuscling Marcus Kane at the back post.

The hosts carved out their best opportunity of the opening period minutes before the interval, only for Gartside to keep them at bay with a stunning double save.

The Carrick goalkeeper was first alert to deny Jarlath O'Rourke from close range after Billy-Joe Burns' initial block, then recovered sharply to get two hands to James Singleton's effort from yards out.

Glens on top

After the restart, the Glens assumed control and came agonisingly close to opening the scoring just after the hour when substitute Josh Daniels flicked Aaron McEneff's near-post corner goalward, only to see it strike the far post.

The woodwork was rattled again moments later as fellow substitute Jack Malone, afforded too much time and space from distance, saw his effort crash back off the crossbar.

McEneff was next to try his luck from range, but Gartside was equal to the midfielder's powerful strike.

Frustration mounted as the east Belfast outfit were denied by the woodwork for a third time, McEneff curling a free-kick over the wall from the edge of the area that beat Gartside but not the crossbar.

The breakthrough finally arrived seven minutes from time when Kamson Kamara applied the finishing touch after Gartside failed to hold onto McEneff's corner, for his third league goal of the season.