Welcome win as Ports stop the rot after six league setbacks

The fact that it arrived at home to Linfield and with a number of positives on show only served to add to the cause for celebration within the Shamrock Park fanbase.

Goals by two former Linfield favourites - Mark McAllister and Philip Lowry - also added to the reasons for home cheer, with the latter marking a second goal in as many appearances following a January transfer.

A red card for Ken Oman failed to disrupt Portadown’s march to victory on the night.

If two of the most decorated and experienced players in the Ports camp - McAllister and Lowry - enjoyed the most significant impact on the final scoreline, the early exchanges had teenager Marcio Soares as the key figure.

Soares put Mark Stafford under pressure on 22 minutes as the Linfield centre-back failed to deal with an aerial ball into the box. Ultimately, Stafford was adjudged to have fouled the young forward - with away appeals against Soares’ honesty ending in defeat.

It was the main contribution during a bright performance by a striker who is enjoying the benefit of opportunities created by senior injuries and suspensions.

McAllister proved calm until the appeals subsided and stepped up to slot home the penalty kick.

Lowry was on hand to head home Chris Casement’s second-half free-kick on 69 minutes.

That advantage remained resolute despite Oman’s dismissal and a Matthew Clarke goal during late Linfield pressure.

PORTADOWN: David Miskelly, Chris Casement, Ross Redman, Keith O’Hara, Chris Ramsey, Mark McAllister, Tim Mouncey, Ken Oman, Michael Gault, Philip Lowry, Marcio Soares. Subs: Martin Marron, Matthew Parker, Mikey Withers, Padraig Judge, Adam Brown.

Referee: Arnold Hunter.