Portadown Steal Points

North Down travelled to Portadown on Saturday without Ross Blair and the suspended Jonny Linter hoping to get valuable points as they struggle to retain their Premier League position. They did not have ideal preparation as players were caught up in traffic chaos and had to start the game without goalkeeper Darren Rodgers. However by the time he arrived Portadown had been unable to get any worthwhile shots on target.

Portadown dominated play in the first quarter but the North Down defence protected their goal and the score remained 0-0 at the end of the quarter.

Portadown continued on top at the start of the second quarter and Rodgers had to make two fine saves. McKeown made a run and crossed for Bailie but his touch went wide. Portadown took the lead when the North defence failed to cut out a cross and the forward had a simple task to find the back of the net. This seemed to waken up the North players and McKane equalised with a brilliant solo goal beating a number of defenders before slotting past the keeper. North continued on the attack. Phil Templeton played a superb pass to McKeown who in turn found Gilmore who steadied himself and placed a reverse out of the reach of the home keeper. Boyd who was having a sound game played a pass to McKeown but his deflection went wide.Just before half time Portadown were awarded a corner but this was deflected over the bar.

North began the third quarter strongly and Harry Templeton got clear of the home defence but his reverse shot was saved. Both Templeton and McKane made strong runs into the circle but their efforts were cleared. The game seemed to swing in Norths favour when a Portadown player received a red card for a robust tackle. McKane was finding space on the right and was making strong runs deep into the Portadown defence but his fellow forwards could not get on the end of his crosses. McKeown and Wilson combined but were blocked at the expense of a long corner.

North committed suicide in the final quarter. With the defence too far up the field an overhead pass cleared the defence allowing the left winger to run in to the circle and smash an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Tweedie who was having a fine game got upended but the umpire took no action. McKane made another strong run and found McKeown but the ball struck his feet. In a breakaway Portadown broke down their right and crossed for the unmarked centre forward to turn and hit past Rodgers. In the final minutes McKane crossed to McKeown at the far post but it was not his day in front of goal as the ball hit his feet and the danger was averted.

Burch Autos man of match Chris Robinson.