Portadown struggled to find any rythem playing into a stiff breeze and a blinding sun in the first 45 against Cliftonville.  It was the visitors who settled better in the conditions and went straght for the Ports right from the first blast of the refs whistle.  Johnston put the Belfast reds in front in the 9th minute blasting home from close range.  Donnelly rubbed salt into the Ports wounds with a second 8 minutes later to double the Cliftonville lead.  The Ports were struggling to find the sort of form which had them top of the league a few weeks ago, bu they were given a lifeline 10 mins before halftime when Braniff slid home a Tipton cross from close range to send the Ports in 1-2 down at the break.

The Ports came out with the wind and sun advantage, but depite their best efforts they couldn’t break down a resolute reds defence.  Even when Cliftonville substitute John Convery was red-carded in the 84th minute, for pulling back Matthew Tipton, the Ports failed to take advantage of the extra man.  Cliftonville held on to finish the game as 1-2 victors.

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