Late let down

Cliftonville 1-2 Portadown

The concession of an injury-time goal just minutes after hauling themselves back into the game saw Cliftonville slump to defeat against Portadown at Solitude this afternoon.

Eamon Fyfe’s 64th minute strike looked to have been enough to earn victory for the visitors until a fantastic header from Odhran Casey drew the Reds level just as the game ticked into added time.

Sensing that all three points were there for the taking, the home side threw everything forward for the remainder of the contest but were caught out when James Teelan raced clear to have the decisive say before referee Chris Morrison flashed red cards at Cliftonville assistant boss Gerard Lyttle, Ports coach Steven Hyndes and visiting midfielder Ben Wylie following a touchline skirmish.

That late drama was in stark contrast to a largely forgettable game of football. Joe Gormley seeing an early shot deflected wide and Eric McWoods being unable to steer an effort on target told the story of a tame first-half, with the second period likewise delivering little of note until a swift Portadown counter-attack ended with Steven McCullough picking out Fyfe to open the scoring.

The hosts rarely looked like getting back into things but appeared to have rescued a point when Casey met Jack Keaney’s cross to equalise.

Conor Falls had the best chance to snatch a home winner but was unable to direct his header from Micheal Glynn’s cross on target before the Reds suffered a last-gasp hammer blow when Teelan settled the issue.

Cliftonville: Morrison, Wilson (Sheridan, 82 mins), Leppard, Gordon (McCay, 59 mins), Gormley (Falls, 82 mins), Barr, Glynn, Casey, Robertson, Keaney, McWoods (Bermingham, 59 mins). Unused subs: Ridd, Lavery, Curran.