PORTS COME FROM BEHIND TO SECURE BIG CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
Portadown laid down a big marker in the race for the Bluefin Sport Championship title with victory over fellow challengers Loughgall at Shamrock Park.
Matt Tipton's side came from a goal down to defeat the Villagers, remaining five points clear at the top and now nine ahead of Dean Smith's side.
The Ports might have gone in front within the opening minute when Adam Salley almost converted a Liam McKenna cross while, for Loughgall, John Scott tested keeper Bobby Edwards midway through the first half.
Indeed Loughgall enjoyed the better opportunities as the game progressed with Nathaniel Ferris seeing a goalbound effort blocked by Paul Finnegan, Stephen Ferguson then fired over and Jordan Gibson sent a first time shot just too high.
But the Villagers did snatch the lead eight minutes after the break courtesy of a Peter Campbell header after beating Luke Wilson to cross delivered to the back post.
Further chances followed with Campbell and Scott McCullough both firing just wide before, on 70 minutes, Portadown got back on level terms when Aaron Duke got his head to a ball delivered to the edge of the area from just inside the home half despite Jordan Lyttle's best efforts to clear off the line.
Portadown's winner came six minutes from time. McKenna's free-kick on the right was touched onto the crossbar by Gareth Buchanan before the loose ball was cut back in by Duke for Conall McGrandles to bundle home from point blank range.
Portadown: Edwards, Crane, Finnegan, McKenna, Salley, McGrandles, Tipton, Wilson, McNally, Ferris, Bonis subs Lavery (replaced Tipton 55), Duke (replaced Ferris 55), Glackin (not used), Carmichael (replaced Salley 79), McCullough (not used)
Loughgall: Buchanan, Kerr, Scott, Brennan, Lyttle, Ferguson, Malone, S. McCullough, Ferris, Gibson, Campbell subs Smith (not used), Hoey (replaced Malone 75), Dallas (replaced S. McCullough 67), Douglas (replaced Gibson 83), Rea (not used)
Substitution 
Substitution 
