Goals scored in the closing stages of each half helped Portadown to a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Ballymena United at Shamrock Park.
Portadown 2 - 0 Ballymena United
The Ports picked up the reward of three Carling Premiership points at the end of a tough tussle with the visitors enjoying periods on top and Portadown squandering some promising positions.
Gary McCutcheon proved the architect of both goals, one from a first-half corner-kick delivery and the other late on after the break following a defensive error by Aidan Watson.
Ballymena carved out a superb chance on 10 minutes when Philip Carson's free-kick was steered goalwards by Kevin Kelbie but the glancing header bounced off the bar and Nathan McConnell fired wide from the rebound.
McConnell had two early efforts during Ballymena's bright start but Portadown opened the scoring on 38 minutes.
McCutcheon whipped a corner-kick into the danger area from the left wing and it zipped across the face of goal inside the crowded box, with Richard Lecky gaining a touch before Keith O'Hara bundled it over the line.
Both teams had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Alan Black, during a fixture full of enthusiasm but often short of good quality football.
McConnell and Kelbie placed the Ports on the backfoot but the host's Alan Teggart was left frustrated when his low shot bounced off the base of the upright.
Ballymena's best chance for a way back into contention arrived on 78 minutes when Michael Smith delivered a right-wing cross which dropped for Lee Colligan at the back post.
However, the ball became trapped under Colligan's body and Portadown managed to cut out the threat.
Lecky was handed a series of sights of goal but failed to increase the advantage until 89 minutes.
Ballymena pushed forward in search of a much-needed equaliser but an unfortunate header by Watson dropped for McCutcheon and his pass provided Lecky with the time and space required to wrap up victory.
PORTADOWN: David Miskelly, Keith OHara, Ross Redman, Richard Clarke, Darren Kelly, Wesley Boyle, Ryan McCluskey, Kevin Braniff, Gary McCutcheon, Alan Teggart, Richard Lecky. Subs: Neil Armstrong, John Convery, David McCullough, Jordan Baker, Sean Mackle (on for W.Boyle, 28 mins).
BALLYMENA UNITED: Sean ONeill, Michael Smith, Lee Colligan, Chris Ramsey, Albert Watson, Aaron Stewart, Aidan Watson, Philip Carson, Nathan McConnell, Kevin Kelbie, Darren Lockhart. Subs: Paul McNeill (on for N.McConnell, 67 mins), Mark Surgenor, David Cushley, George Stewart (on for P.Carson, 67 mins), Noel Anderson (on for D.Lockhart, 42 mins).
Referee: Alan Black (Antrim).
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