However leaders Loughgall with a win against relegation threatened Portstewart opened up a gap of six points, and with only six fixtures remaining they must be odds-on favourites to lift the title.
However they are scheduled to come to Ballyclare on Saturday 19th April, with the return fixture still to be finalised, so much will depend upon the outcome of these two clashes.
There was little Easter fare for the fans who made their way on a bitterly cold afternoon to Dixon Park for the eagerly awaited East Antrim derby, with neither Ian Mannus in the home goal, or Gregg Shannon at the opposite end being seriously stretched on a day when goalmouth activity was at a premium.
Carrick shaped up better during the opening ten minutes with little to show for their efforts in the final third of the pitch, and Comrades did little better when they settled.
Eventually in the 25th minute Adam Dick who has been scoring freely recently managed to get in a shot that Shannon saved easily at the base of the post, otherwise there was little to write about in a dreary first half.
With the hour mark looming Carrick scored the goal that settled the issue. There was no apparent danger when former Comrades midfielder Ricky Higgins headed the ball in to the box where White found himself unmarked deep inside the box from where he blasted past Mannus.
Spurred on by this sudden reverse the Reds moved up a couple of gears and a Dick shot ended in the side-netting. Moments later Man of the Match, Michael Smith, moved menacingly in to the box to collect a cross from Darren McKay, but Shannon was out quickly to smother the ball when a score seemed on the cards.
In the 65th minute Shannon pulled off the best save of the afternoon when he finger-tipped another Dick effort round the upright, and from the resultant corner Gary Bell who had scored twice a week earlier, had his shot deflected for another flag kick.
That was as good as it got for Jamesie Kirk's lads, and the game petered out rather tamely.
Commenting Jamesie Kirk said, "It was one of our worst performances of the season, and we got what we deserved - nothing. It was definitely an off day, with no reputations enhanced. We had a few half chances and didn't score any of them, while Carrick made the most of their only scoring opportunity. Since Carrick beat us in November we have had seven wins and a draw in First Division matches, but our reputation meant nothing to them.
"The lads were hurting after this home defeat, and they are already looking forward to taking on Coagh on Saturday," concluded Jamesie.
The only team change was Kieran Loughran in for Joe McRoberts who was unavailable.
Ballyclare Comrades sponsored by Reid Black Solicitors: Mannus, Smith, Caldwell, Forsythe, Reid, Agnew, Loughran, McClean (C), Bell, McKay, Dick. Subs: Patterson for Reid 75 mins, Mulholland for Loughran 89 mins, Simms, McGrath.
The match was sponsored by the Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Ballyclare, and the ball was supplied by Ashers Home Bakeries, Ballyclare.