Ports earn first points with draw against Linfield

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI Contributor

Portadown secured their first Irish Premiership point of the season as a late penalty earned David Jeffrey's side a 1-1 draw with Linfield at Shamrock Park.

Kyle McClean put the in-form Blues ahead after 26 minutes, but the Ports' persistence was rewarded late on as they were awarded a penalty after Dane McCullough was penalised for handball.

Ben Kennedy stepped up and slotted home his first of the season from the spot as they brought to an end their six-game losing run to start the campaign.

The draw leaves David Healy's Blues second in the table, three points behind early pacesetters Coleraine.

Ports off the mark with late leveller

Portadown made an encouraging start and threatened inside the opening minute when Divin Isamala headed over from Mikey Hewitt's corner, before Chris Johns got down well to deny Finn Flanagan.

However, Linfield took the lead on 26 minutes when they worked the ball across the edge of the box through Ethan McGee and Kobei Moore before finding McClean, who fired a low effort inside Jamie Barry's near post.

The hosts responded strongly and continued to create opportunities, with Sean O'Mahoney King coming closest in a frantic end to the first half when his effort struck the post before he sent another chance narrowly wide moments later.

Portadown maintained their attacking threat after the restart, with Johns turning Kennedy's powerful effort behind as the hosts searched for an equaliser.

Their pressure finally told after 82 minutes when Hewitt's cross struck the hand of McCullough and referee Steven Gregg pointed to the penalty spot.

The resulting penalty was driven low into the bottom-right corner by Kennedy beyond Johns to bring Portadown level.

The Ports almost completed the turnaround immediately afterwards as James Teelan burst forward from the restart and fired narrowly wide.

Both sides pushed for a winner during a frantic finish, with Teelan also curling over in stoppage time, but Portadown held on to collect their first point.

What the managers said

Portadown manager David Jeffrey: "I'm delighted. The players work really hard in training and tonight they gave absolutely everything.

"I felt we were very worthy of at least a draw. We've kept working hard, kept applying ourselves and kept trying to give our best.

"There's no point getting a result like this tonight and then not following up on that. We needed a lift, and that little bit of encouragement we got tonight will be helpful in our preparation [for Bangor]."

Linfield manager David Healy: "Poor all-round performance and it's been a poor result. We're probably lucky to get a draw tonight, to be honest, with the level of performance we've produced.

"My overriding emotion straight after the game is disappointment. We were nowhere near the level.

"We warned the players of the danger of coming down to a team that hadn't won, managed by David Jeffrey, who would be up for the challenge, as they were."