But for the third game in a row Eddie Patterson's side needed a last gasp winner to secure a maximum return from another tough encounter.

The Ports had taken the lead on 44 minutes when Gary Liggett was quickest to the ball after a Cahit Pasa drive had been pushed out by John Connolly.

Cliftonville levelled on 62 minutes through Chris Scannell after he made the most of a botched Keith O'Hara clearance from a Mark Holland cross.

And it was Scannell who grabbed the winner right at the end when he capitalised on a bout of indecision in the visiting defence to smash home a David McAlinden ball at the back post.