Carrick started dangerously with Danny Gibson attempting one of his trademark 50-yard strikes on two minutes that had debutant keeper Nathan Gartside sweating.
Meanwhile, on 10 minutes, Curtis Allen struck the foot of the post after being played in nicely by Nedas Maciulaitis.
However, things started to go wrong shortly after with Andrew Hoey firing a warning shot with a diving header at the back post that was clutched by Ross Glendinning on 22 minutes.
Five minutes later, there was nothing the Carrick stopper could do when Jordan Gibson drifted to the front post and glanced home a corner from Jamie Rea.
Stuart King would have been looking for a response from his side and, although their urgency increased, the quality decreased as their route-one balls were either overhit or easily read.
Danny Gibson was starting to cut a frustrated figure and he and Seanan Clucas had a few heated words after getting in each other’s way.
Just as the fourth official’s board was going up for added time, everyone at Lakeview Park got a case of deja vu as Gibson again was left criminally unmarked by the usually-solid Carrick rearguard and he nodded home another Rea corner.
The second half was devoid of any real clear-cut chances for either side, which suited the hosts.
Paul Heatley was introduced at the break and was dangerous in spells but struggled to get on the ball with Rangers still disjointed.
Loughgall were doing well at dealing with any Carrick advances without doing much themselves.
Pablo Andrade whistled one wide after excellent build-up play with Hoey before substitute Benji Magee cut in off the left and saw his shot saved by Glendinning at his near post.
That would turn out to be but a warning shot as last year’s Young Player of the Year made an almost-identical move and this time picked out the far corner with a beautiful finish to put the cherry on top of a very successful first home game of the season for the Villagers.