Glenn Ferguson grabbed the only goal of the game after 29 minutes when the ball fell loose after Tim Mouncey tested 'Stute keeper Michael Doherty.

The Blues might have doubled their lead on 43 minutes only for William Murphy's goalbound header to be scrambled away by the home defence.

Liam Beckett's side might have drawn level nine minutes into the second half when Ryan Campbell ran through the Linfield rearguard only to fire straight at Alan Mannus while a few minutes later Mark Scoltock headed narrowly over from a Ruairi Boyle free-kick.

At the other end Peter Thompson found himself one-on-one with Doherty but fired wide before a Murphy long range effort was pushed over.