Highlights: Dungannon Swifts 2-4 Carrick Rangers

Carrick Rangers secured back-to-back Irish Premiership victories with an entertaining 4-2 win over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.

The victory moves Stephen Baxter's side up to fifth in the league table, with goals from Paul Heatley, Joe Crowe and Daniel Gibson, alongside a Danny Wallace own goal, securing all three points.

It is the second game in a row in which they have plundered four goals after a 4-0 win against Crusaders last week.

Kealan Dillon and Sean McAllister were on target for Dungannon, whose winless league run extended to five matches.

Carrick take control in frantic encounter

Carrick opened the scoring when Jordan Forsythe's excellent long ball released Heatley, who lifted the ball over Alex Henderson before racing forward to head into the net.

Dungannon responded quickly as Jamie Glackin picked out Dillon, who drove into the area and fired a low finish into the corner.

However, Carrick regained the lead after 20 minutes when captain Crowe turned home Aidan Steele's low delivery following a corner.

The visitors continued to threaten, with Gibson twice having efforts ruled out for offside, while Nathan Gartside produced an excellent diving save to deny Adam Glenny's header.

Carrick extended their advantage just before half-time when Benjamin Buchanan-Rolleston's dangerous cross deflected off Wallace and rolled into his own net.

Heatley struck the crossbar after the restart before Gibson made it 4-1, reacting quickest to slot home after Adam Lecky flicked on Forsythe's free-kick.

McAllister almost pulled one back when his powerful effort clipped the crossbar, but Dungannon eventually reduced the deficit after Corey Smith was brought down inside the area.

McAllister converted the resulting penalty after 79 minutes, sending Gartside the wrong way.

The Swifts continued to push forward in the closing stages but could not find another breakthrough as Carrick held on for an impressive away victory.

What the managers said

Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter: "To go to any Irish League ground and score four goals is a really big thing nowadays. Four might have been double that. We've created another six or seven great chances to add to that margin.

"We were very aware of how Dungannon play. We had to make sure we were well set up, but we were able to hit them fast and sharp in good areas of the pitch. We'd worked hard on that all week.

"It's early; it's only the first round of games. At this moment in time we're competing pretty well. I'm pleased with what we're doing and how we're doing it. We'll see where it takes us."

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree: "We gave the ball away too early and didn't set ourselves up defensively well enough to counter that. Our centre-halves were wandering in the middle of the pitch needlessly and left space behind them, which Carrick exploited massively.

"Sean McAllister's opportunities were excellent, and Leo Alves had a great chance at 3-1, and if he took that early in the second half we would have had more of an opportunity to win. We didn't take our chances, conceded very poor goals and gave the ball away too easily. That has to improve.

"We just have to regroup and get back at it. We have to identify where we've been weak and where we've been strong and make sure we set ourselves up better."