Richard Clarke fired the Ports in front as early as the fifth minute when he turned home a volley from the edge of the area after the United defence failed to clear a corner from the right.

Michael Smith did have the goal in the net for the Sky Blues only for his effort to be ruled out offside but it was the visitors who came closest to adding to the scoreline in the opening exchanges when Keith O'Hara curled a free-kick just past the right upright.

After the break Smith once again offered the best United had to offer when he whistled a half volley past the post but, as before, Portadown looked the more dangerous and really should have doubled their advantage through Aaron Baker who somehow turned the ball wide from barely four yards out after it fell for him from a scuffed Tim Mouncey effort.

Portadown were reduced to ten men as the game wore to a close after Ross Redman was dismissed for a late tackle on Andy Smith.