PORTS FIGHT BACK TWICE TO EARN A POINT

Portadown twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils with Cliftonville at Solitude.

After a brisk opening from both sides it fell to the Ports to have the first clear scoring opportunity around the 20 minute mark after Steven McCullough's corner got past David Odumosu only for Baris Altintop, at the back post, to nod wide with the goal at his mercy.

And the Ports threatened again a little later when Shay McCartan cut his way through the defence but his effort towards the near post was turned behind by Odumosu.

However the deadlock was finally broken just after the half-hour mark when Shea Kearney's cross from the right caused panic in the visiting defence before the ball broke for Ryan Curran to turn home from close range.

Portadown hit back within three minutes. Another McCullough cross from the left reached Ahu Obhakhan, who did superbly to lift the ball over Odumosu and into the net.

The Reds regained the advantage five minutes into the second half. Eric McWoods found Curran who, in turn, played it through for Rory Hale drill past Aaron McCarey at the near post.

Cliftonville could have extended their lead later in the half but Luke Conlan could only send the ball over the top after Odhran Casey had delivered a perfectly executed cross.

But Portadown levelled for a second time on 79 minutes when, under pressure from Josh Ukek, keeper Odumosu palmed the ball into his own net after a Lee Chapman cross had caused problems in the six yard box.

The visitors were almost granted a second own goal in the closing moments after Shay McCartan's low cross was almost sent past his own keeper by Casey but, fortunately for the home midfielder, it flew just inches over the crossbar.

Cliftonville: Odumosu, Addis, Kearney, Hale, Curran, Conlan, Piesold, Casey, Keaney, Wilson, McWoods subs Ridd, Ojo, Lowe, Gordon, McGuinness, Parsons, Corrigan

Portadown: McCarey, Altintop, MacKinnon, Chapman, McCullough, Ukek, Teelan, Obhakhan, Minzamba, McCartan, Thompson subs Wright, Wilson, McElroy, Mayse, Fyfe, Wylie, Isamala