The Northern Ireland U21 international headed what proved to be the winner past Pats 'keeper Barry Ryan after Grant Gardiner delivered an inch perfect corner from the right.

It was the perfect start for a Glentoran side still buoyed from their thumping of Linfield in their last cup outing after their immediate future in the competition seemed doomed following a disappointing start to the series.

The Dublin visitors, still in with a real shout of qualifying themselves, hit back through Keith Fahey and Mark Quigley as they attempted to go in at the break on level terms but every effort proved fruitless.

And Quigley came even closer in the second half only to fire against the outside of the post while, later in the game, Elliott Morris did well to keep out a goalbound Jamie Harris header.