Peden grabs his first goal for Ports

The game ended in a 1-1 draw, but Portstewart had at least five good goal scoring chances in the first half.

The home side grabbed an early goal in the third minute, but the visitors battled hard and took control after the goal.

Rowan Neill’s shot went wide of the upright and Owen Peden’s free kick was tipped over by the Moyola keeper early in the tie.

An accidental collision with Paul Brown saw Portstewart’s Graham Vauls being carried off after just 20 minutes.

After this James Peden went close with a header from brother Owen’s corner.

Moyola were relying on long balls, hoping to bring the experienced Paul Brown into the game, but Craig Ramsey kept the big forward under wraps.

On the half hour, the Moyola keeper tipped a Mervyn Nicholl strike over the bar, before Cahir Friel hesitated in front of goal leaving the Moyola keeper with an easy stop.

The second half continued just as the first had ended, with Portstewart piling on the pressure.

McAllister made a good save from Brown early in the second half.

At the other end efforts from Owen and James Peden, Mervyn Nicholl and Rowan Neill came to nothing.

The pressure finally paid off when James Peden scored from a free kick in the 78th minute.

From the re-start, Cahir Friel intercepted the ball and ran from the half way line, he rounded three players, but could only watch as his effort was tipped round the post by the keeper.

This seemed to sum up the game, with Portstewart having to settle for a share of the spoils.

PORTSTEWART: McAllister, White, Ramsey, J Peden, Todd, O Peden, M Nicholl, Vauls, Parsons, Friel, Neill. Subs: Fisher, Donnell, Smyth, Taylor.