The Sky Blues hadn't won since an opening day defeat of Glenavon whilst the Ports were making steady progress up the table after a somewhat unconvincing start to the campaign.

United opened the scoring in first half stoppage time through Kevin Kelbie who headed a Simon Kelly past David Miskelly in what was their first goal in five outings.

And they doubled their advantage on 70 minutes when Garth Scates found Kelbie on the left who in turn crossed for fellow frontman Davitt Walsh to fire home unmarked and unchallenged.

Portadown did pull one back five minutes later courtesy of Gary McCutcheon who turned a deflected effort past Paul Murphy after something of a scramble in the home goalmouth.