Portadown, aiming to mount a challenge to Belfast's 'Big Two', got off to a great start with the opening goal after 20 minutes when Peter Kennedy - the former Northern Ireland international - played the ball from midfield into the path of Richard Clarke who, in turn, coolly slotted the ball home into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

However the Crues levelled just two minutes into the second half when Anto Crawford slipped the ball through for Colin Beggs to send past debutant 16-year-old Ports keeper Andrew Wright.

Crusaders appeared to draw strength from this and threatened further through Stephen McBride and David Rainey whilst the Ports battered the visiting goal in search of the winner.