Portadown spluttered to a draw today against Coleraine today at Shamrock Park.  The heavy Shamrock surface seemed to suit Coleraines style better as the Ports struggled to find their feet and their passes in the first half.  Coleraine pressed forward in numbers as the Ports were overrun in midfield with the normally reliable Redman and McCafferty not at their best.  It was no surprise when Coleraine took the lead in the 10th minute as Ciaran Clarke hammered in a speculative shot from all of 25 yards which beat Miskelly in the Ports goal.   The Ports looked shell shocked and out of sorts.  The best chance for the Ports came from a Kevin Braniff free kick from 25 yards out which grazed the bar with the keeper well beaten.

The second half saw the Ports take into Coleraine with more purpose and vigour.  Tim Mouncey got them back on level terms 10 mins after the break when he shot past Doherty from close range.  The Ports started to dominate the game for the remainder of the second half, with Tipton, Mouncey, Braniff  and O’Hara all going close, but they failed to get that all important second goal to finish off a determined Coleraine side.  In the end the reds had to settle for the draw.  With Linfield on the horizon next Saturday they’ll be hoping they can rediscover their early season form for whats likely to be a very stiff test at Windsor Park next Saturday.

MATCH SPONSOR: PLANET BINGO

BALL SPONSOR: Mr Frank Burns (pictured below)

PSS Man of the Match Award: Portadown Times

Eden Reds Supporters Club make a presentation to Ports Chairman Roy McMahon in the boardroom of Shamrock Park.

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