GIANT killers Portadown have completed a Belfast treble in dumping Linfield, Cliftonville and now Glentoran out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup, checking into the final with a 110th minute winner against the East Belfast table toppers. Richard Lecky could barely have left it any later to propel his side through to next month's clash against Newry City.

It was a particularly choking result for the Glens, who took the lead over the Championship side within just twelve minutes. Former Portadown forward Kyle Neill delivered an excellent corner which bobbled several times in the face of goal and after goalkeeper Neil Armstrong's stab resembled more of an unenthusiastic swat, Andy Waterworth moved forward to tap in from close range.

At the stroke of half time, Portadown snatched their equaliser and demonstrated that although an entire division separated them and their semi final opponents. Wesley Boyle ran into a pounding ball, tearing in to meet it around eight yards out on the far side before heading it into the opposite corner. Forcing the match to extra time, the Reds kept a nervous Glentoran tentative in anticipation and while Alan McDonald's side squandered a string of chances, Portadown never looked as if they were going to settle for a draw.

They pushed forcefully and demonstrated Premiership stamina, right up until the very final whistle. Three minutes into start of second period of extra time, Kevin Braniff crossed in from the right hand side and Richard Lecky made no mistake to tap in from no more than four yards out.

Ports boss Ronnie McFall was relieved but grounded after witnessing his side slug it out in atrocious conditions. "It was a hugely tough but very well fought match for us and we've achieved what we wanted to which was reaching the final," McFall said. "However, it's certainly not been an easy route and beating Cliftonville was definitely still among our biggest achievements so far. I have no doubts that Newry will be tough opposition and having beaten some of the top sides in Irish football, it's given us a real boost."

Neill could have extended his side's lead a few moments after Portadown levelled matters, when after he was picked out by Waterworth who crossed back but although it careered spectacularly past the Portadown defence, Neill's 20 yard strike was captured by Armstrong.

After 27 minutes Gary Hamilton turned inside, took his time on his touch and fired but it sank down Armstrong's throat. The Ports 'keeper was threatened again when David Scullion's shot was initially stopped but spilled a second later. However, Portadown certainly had episodes of attractive play and in terms of intuition and creativity, outshone the Glens in the first half, even though their thoughtful passages cost them time and consequently they were often closed down. Elsewhere, neither side were short on chances but each frequently missed the target.

Keith O'Hara paired up with Boyle on a handful of occasions and Boyle deftly managed to clear Hamilton's free kick just after the half hour mark. Alan Teggart put in a chancing performance and isolated himself easily but continually run off the ball whenever he gained possession. David McCullough and Gary McCutcheon also stood out for the eventual victors.

Ownership of the game repeatedly changed hands and play was largely well balanced after the interval, with Portadown clearly building on the momentum of the later stages of the first half.

They bothered Glentoran's tired-looking defence and referee David Malcolm correctly played advantage, amidst the physical exchanges. Substitute Daryl Fordyce twice hammered the Ports goal on 63 minutes, his first hooked narrowly off the line by Ross Redman and the second cleared. Lecky and Braniff later had excellent chances to secure it for Portadown as the game teetered on full time but they were each marginally wide of the target. Hamilton was presented with a gilt-edged chance for Glentoran but fired blindly over the bar.

McFall is still convinced that while reaching the final is a tremendous achievement, a return to the top division remains his priority. "Promotion is certainly still our biggest objective and we must ensure we're back in the top flight next season. We didn't need any further evidence to show that we are a Premiership side and we will strive to go up - picking up silverware on the way can only be a good thing."