With the first attack of the game and only two minutes on the clock, Crusaders hit the front.
The ball was crossed into the Carrick box and former Ayr man Fraser Bryden was on hand to head into the right-hand corner of the goal.
On 21 minutes, Crusaders had a second through fellow debutant Adam Brooks.
A strong run from midfield by Elliot Dunlop saw him slide Brooks through on goal down the right-hand side and he rounded Nathan Gartside and slotted home from an acute angle.
The game looked over on 32 minutes when Finley Thorndike scored a third for the Crues.
Brooks turned provider as he unselfishly slid the ball to his right, allowing Thorndike the easiest of finishes into an empty net.
Five minutes later and it was game on as Dunlop brought down Aidan Steele, allowing Scott to score from the spot.
Soon after, Carrick had another as Joe Crowe’s cross bounced off the crossbar with the rebound nodded towards goal by Luke McCullough and poked home by Gibson from a yard out.
The second half began in similarly pulsating fashion as Carrick found an equaliser.
Former Crues man Paul Heatley slid the ball into the path of Gibson, who finished past Musa Dibaga.
Just as the game looked set to end all square, there was final drama in the 92nd minute.
Crowe crossed from the left with the ball striking the hand of Robbie Weir and the referee pointed to the spot again.
Up stepped Scott once more to score his second penalty of the day and complete a superb comeback.
