Linfield

1

Portadown

2

LATE MACKLE GOAL HANDS PORTS THE POINTS AT WINDSOR

20th Feb 2015

A Sean Mackle goal two minutes from time saw Portadown claim the points from this Friday night visit to Windsor Park.

Although putting a dent in Linfield's title ambitions - a win would have put them level with leaders Crusaders - the points did strengthen Portadown's hopes of securing a European place.

The Blues had moved in front after 12 minutes through player-manager Warren Feeney when he was given space to turn a header from Michael Carvill's cross past Ports 'keeper David Miskelly.

It was almost 2-0 a short time later after another Carvill delivery found Andrew Waterworth only for his header to crash against the crossbar.

And Linfield had another golden opportunity just before the hour when Portadown midfielder Tim Mouncey was adjudged to have handled a Jamie Mulgrew cross but Aaron Burns was unable to convert the subsequent spot-kick with Miskelly doing well to save.

That proved to be a turning point in the game.

Portadown got back on level terms ten minutes later Jimmy Callacher turned the ball into his own net whilst attempting to clear a Chris Casement free-kick.

Then, on 82 minutes, Shea Conaty almost headed Ronnie McFall's side in front only to see his effort bounce back off the crossbar.

But that proved to be little more than a stay of execution when, with just two minutes remaining, Mackle made the most of some static defending to knock the ball beyond Ross Glendinning into the bottom corner.

Linfield: Ross Glendinning, Belezika, Callacher, Waterworth, Carvill, Burns, Ward, McCann, Mulgrew, Feeney, Quinn subs Tuffey (not used), Lowry (replaced Mulgrew 77), Millar (not used), Morrow (replaced Feeney 73), Reece Glendinning (replaced Belezika 39)

Portadown: Miskelly, Casement, Redman, O'Hara, Ramsey, McMahon, Mackle, Mouncey, Gault, Conaty, Garrett subs Brennan (not used), Soares (not used), Oman (replaced O'Hara 83), McElroy (not used), Richardson (not used)

Referee: Raymond Hetherington

Attendance: 2079

Tags: