BetMcLean Cup: Carrick Rangers stunned by Queen’s as Armagh beat Loughgall

Premier Intermediate side Queen’s University have piled further misery on Carrick Rangers with a 1-0 win in the first round of the BetMcLean Cup.

Chris Middleton scored a late winner at Taylors Avenue as Carrick, bottom of the Irish Premiership with eight straight defeats, exited the competition.

Carrick parted company with manager Stuart King following the defeat, which is the club’s ninth in 10 matches in all competitions.

Irish Premiership side Loughgall were stunned 3-2 by neighbours Armagh City at Lakeview Park.

Conor McCloskey and Jay Boyd gave Loughgall the lead but Championship side Armagh hit back through Dermot McCaffrey and Noeem Oladunjoye.

Ugo Anny-Nzekwue then netted to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Portadown, who were defeated by Linfield in last season’s final, were knocked out by Ards.

Aidan Steele scored a last-minute winner against the Ports, who were reduced to 10 men after Josh Ukek was sent off in the first half.

In a night of shocks, in-form Ballymena United survived a huge scare to defeat Premier Intermediate side Rathfriland Rangers 5-4 on penalties.

Ruari Fitzpatrick opened the scoring but Stephen O’Donnell and Noah Stewart put Jim Ervin’s side in front.

Fitzpatrick sent the game to extra time, and Ethan Devine’s goal was cancelled out by Andy Kilmartin before Ballymena eventually prevailed on penalties.

However, holders Linfield, Dungannon Swifts, Coleraine, Crusaders, Cliftonville, Glenavon, Glentoran and Larne all progressed.