Carrick Rangers piled more misery on Linfield with a shock 2-1 win over the Premiership champions at the Loughview Leisure Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues were aiming to bounce back from their heartbreaking Europa Conference League play-off defeat by RFS on Thursday.
But they fell behind in the first half to a superb Andy Mitchell strike.
Ethan Devine equalised with a classy finish into the bottom corner before Emmett McGuckin blasted in the winner.
Carrick were first to threaten when a mix-up in the Linfield defence led to McGuckin’s cross finding Curtis Allen, who blazed his effort over with just Chris Johns to beat.
Linfield were soon to also squander a golden chance – Kirk Millar sent in a a tantalising cross which found Devine, but his header failed to find the target.
Mitchell put Carrick in front on 13 minutes, letting fly from 30-yards and see his stunning effort nestle in the back of the net.
The former Linfield man left keeper Chris Johns with no chance, after a slight deflection took the ball into the top left corner.
Devine missed out with another headed opportunity, his effort going wide from Cameron Palmer’s inviting cross.
At the other end Linfield had Johns to thank as he got down to his left hand side to save a Allen shot.
Linfield’s frustration was telling, as referee Tony Clarke cautioned both Sam Roscoe and Eetu Vertainen, but didn’t book Carrick’s David Cushley, who was very fortunate not to find himself in the book.
Into the second half and the champions drew level after 52 minutes thanks to that man Devine, who controlled a high ball before arrowing across goal and into the net.
The hosts remained dangerous and McGuckin struck the winner on 63 minutes with the big striker rifling high beyond Johns and into the roof of the net from close range.
Despite five substitutions, the Blues couldn’t break down a resolute Carrick Rangers defence and find another leveller.
They did come very close when Robbie McDaid, one of the replacements, rattled the Rangers crossbar from eight yards.
Carrick held on for a second win of the campaign while Linfield, who were under par after Thursday night’s European drama, dropped their first points of the campaign.
