Irish Premiership: Linfield close gap on leaders as Reds and Ports also win

With Kearney in the dugout for the first time, Ballymena thought they had opened the scoring in the 15th minute at Shamrock Park. A cross from the left was left by Success Edogun for Daire O’Connor, who beat Aaron McCarey.

However, the flag had already gone up, ending the celebrations of the travelling fans.

James Teelan, who was enjoying a good battle with David Toure on the left flank, delivered Portadown’s first big chance of the game.

His cross in the 20th minute landed in the six-yard-box, but Jordan Gibson, at full stretch, could not get the decisive touch.

The hosts then also had a goal disallowed, Eamon Fyfe delivered a wonderful corner from the left, which looped over Declan Breen into the net.

Celebrations again proved premature however, as referee Declan Hassan spotted a foul on the edge of the box.

Portadown did finally open the scoring 15 minutes from time. A ball was played forward and James Teelan used all of his pace to latch onto the ball.

The winger carried the ball in and finished neatly past Breen in the Ballymena goal, using the outside of his right boot.

Ballymena came close to levelling towards the end of the game when the ball bounced in the box and Success Edogun headed the ball over Aaron McCarey, but the ball was cleared by a Portadown defender off the line.

Portadown’s defence survived late attacking momentum from the visitors to secure their second clean sheet in a row and another victory.