City might have opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes when a Philip McBirney free-kick was directed onto an upright by Reds 'keeper John Connolly.

And they came close again midway through the half when first Shane Coney and then recent signing Cian Mackey were denied by some last-ditch Cliftonville defending.

At the other end a Declan O'Hara 38th minute volley was deflected wide followed by a Francis Murphy effort from a Liam Fleming cross which sailed just over.

David McAlinden was thwarted by a goalline clearance five minutes after the break as the Reds stepped up a gear in pursuit of the points.

Mark Holland then produced a couple of efforts around the hour mark but all their endeavour was almost undone on 74 minutes when Gary Fitzpatrick nodded just wide from a Shea McGerrigan free-kick.

With six minutes remaining Chris Scannell thundered a powerful effort from distance off a post but just as it looked like the game would end scoreless McAlinden converted an injury time spot-kick, conceded by Austin McCann, to secure victory for the visitors.