Ports strong in second half to see off Institute

Institute cut open the Ports within the opening exchanges but Declan McKeever was forced to take the chance early by the alert David Miskelly, with the clipped effort clearing the crossbar.

The Ports managed to break the deadlock with the next attack as teenager Shea Conaty picked up possession in space and produced a sliderule pass behind the Institute backline that eventually dropped towards Darren Murray.

Murray marked his return from suspension by steering home an angled drive for his 10th goal of the campaign in all competitions.

McKeever’s second driving run forward from deep led to the equaliser on 10 minutes as Portadown struggled to clear the danger. McKeever’s initial shot was saved by Miskelly then deflected off Garry Breen into the path of the visiting player for a simple finish at the second attempt.

Eugene Ferry produced a smart stop to prevent Chris Casement from capping a burst into the box with a goal then also raced out to block a Peter McMahon opportunity after good work by Conaty, Murray and Michael Gault.

Ferry closed the first half by tipping over a dipping Casement free-kick from distance.

Casement played his part in restoring the Portadown advantage on 52 minutes with a delightful cross that the predatory Gary Twigg steered home with a decisive header.

Cormac Burke was presented with a golden opportunity for Institute’s second equaliser of the afternoon when he found time and space on the hour mark to attack the home backline. However, his shot on the run proved too high.

Portadown increased the lead on 62 minutes when Conaty fed Ross Redman and the left-back’s cross was met by a punch from Ferry. The goalkeeper’s effort failed to gain any significant distance and Casement smashed home the loose ball inside the crowded penalty area.

The Institute response forced Miskelly into a superb one-handed save to deny Robbie Hume, with the latter clipping the rebound towards Stephen O’Flynn but his header - under pressure from Redman - dropped over the bar.

The hosts’ fourth of the afternoon on 71 minutes handed Ports captain Keith O’Hara a spot on the scoresheet with a back-post header from Redman’s corner-kick.

Portadown had chances to increase the advantage but Murray’s shot was blocked on the line and McMahon had a drive bounce off the face of the crossbar.

PORTADOWN: David Miskelly, Chris Casement, Ross Redman, Keith O’Hara, Garry Breen, Peter McMahon, Darren Murray, Michael Gault, Gary Twigg, Robert Garrett, Shea Conaty. Subs: Billy Brennan, Tim Mouncey (on for Garrett, 74 mins), Sean Mackle (on for Twigg, 53 mins), Jordan Lyttle, Matthew McMahon (on for Conaty, 74 mins).

INSTITUTE: Eugene Ferry, Graham Crowne, Stephen O’Donnell, Dean Curry, Mark Forker, Gary Henderson, Declan McKeever, Dwayne McManus, Robbie Hume, Cormac Burke, Stephen O’Flynn. Subs: Ryan Varma (on for Forker, 74 mins), Jamie McIntyre (on for Burke, 63 mins), Jordan Armstrong (on for Henderson, 85 mins), Matty Young, Caolan Mulcahy.

Referee: Tim Marshall