Joe Crowe's injury-time own goal salvaged a point for Limavady United in a 1-1 draw against Carrick Rangers at a windswept Taylors Avenue.

The blunder came totally against the run of play just as it looked like the home side were set to pick up all three points.

Paul Heatley opened the scoring in the first half and it was to be Rangers who would dominate possession in a scrappy affair played in horrendous conditions.

With just two minutes on the clock the home side had a golden chance to hit the front. A mix-up in the Limavady defence sent Heatley through on goal and it looked like he would open the scoring, but he fired high and wide of the left upright.

Then on 20 minutes Aidan Steele was played through for the hosts but he couldn't get a clean shot away from eight yards as it was well blocked by the Limavady defence.

The dam eventually broke six minutes later when Rangers did hit the front and it was nothing more than they deserved.

A mistake by United skipper Stephen Lowry allowed Heatley to burst clear down the right and unlike his earlier chance he made no mistake firing high into the top right-hand corner of the net beyond Martin Gallagher in goal.

Carrick almost grabbed a second just before the break. A corner from the right by Benjamin Buchanan-Rolleston was met by the head of Adam Lecky six yards out, but his header flashed over the crossbar.

The second period was all about attrition as the conditions worsened. Carrick went close to doubling their lead on the hour when Danny Gibson carried down before he played a low ball into the middle that fell nicely for Lecky.

The striker's effort rolled across the Limavady goal and seems set to be nudged home by Heatley but somehow the ball sped up in the wind and trickled wide of the upright.

Fifteen minutes later the visitors had their best chance. After some smart passing Oisin Duffy was played through. The substitute got his shot away but it was well saved by Nathan Gartside.

As the match entered injury-time, no-one expected the late drama that was to unfold.

Carrick skipper Crowe blocked a shot on his own line and as he seemed to have plenty of time to clear he sliced the ball into his own net with his attempted clearance, leaving the spoils shared and a red face for Crowe.