Kearney pleased his side stayed strong and picked up the three points

Rodney Brown fired home ten minutes from time to seal the three points for the Bannsiders against Portadown, who had Pat McGibbon in charge for the first time.

It was a strange atmosphere at Shamrock Park as for the first time in 29 years Ronnie McFall wasn’t in the home dugout.

“After 29 years of Ronnie standing out there, and Pat stepping in this week and the change over the past week we knew they would probably have an extra spring in their step,” Kearney told Times Sport after the game.

“It was strange and eerie at times. The first 20 minutes almost felt like a pre-season friendly.

“That change in general just brings about a wee bit of enthusiasm.

“Taking all that into consideration we knew it would make coming here today a tougher taak than we would want it to be.

“To be fair probably for large parts of the game there was too much in it.”

It was a professional performance by the Bannsiders, who created the best cchances on the day, and Kearney was pleased his side dug in and took the points.

“It looked as though one goal was always going to win it and I’m glad we got it,” he said.

“I said at half time that not every game is the same.

“Our last game at Cliftonville was very free-flowing and this was the opposite.

“No matter what though you have to find a way to win.

“Number one we keep a clean sheet and then keep knocking at the door and see if we can find the wee bit of quality that can get us the win,” he added.