Gerard McMahon had the first effort of note as Glenavon took the game to Portadown in the early stages. His 30 yard shot just cleared the crossbar. In the 8th minute Garth Walsh showed a good touch to flick O'Connor's pass around his marker but his shot from the edge of the area lacked the power to test the keeper.

The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute through a typical Vinny Arkins header when he got to Hamilton's corner before his marker. Glenavon came back strongly and Miskelly made a great save with his legs to deny Kieran O'Connor but Portadown doubled the lead, somewhat against the run of play, when Andy McDonald made a brilliant save to push Hamilton's thunderous volley onto the bar but Clarke reacted quicker than the Glenavon rearguard and tapped in the rebound from close range.

Boyle and Arkins could have sewn the game up for the Ports before half time but both put efforts just wide. McMahon's free kick was then tipped over by Miskelly but the visitor's keeper could do nothing to stop Campbell's volleyed effort in the last minute of the first half. Montgomery had played the ball out to McMahon, playing on the right side of midfield, and his precision cross was dispatched to the back of the net for his first Glenavon goal by Campbell.

Shea Campbell's scissor kick pulls a goal back for Glenavon just before half time

Glenavon had the better of the second half with Campbell always looking dangerous. McMahon's quick throw in at the start of the half released Campbell and he slid a tempting low ball across the area that Miskelly just managed to claim at the feet of Farrell. The Portadown keeper was grateful minutes later when Black's headed effort from Walsh's free kick went straight into his arms.

Campbell almost equalised in the 50th minute when McMahon's ball set him clear down the inside right channel and his powerful close-range shot was somehow kept out by Miskelly who really knew little about it. On 64 minutes Walker had to intervene to prevent Hamilton extending the visitor's lead from Arkins' nod down. Five minutes later Walker was in action in the other box when he mis-kicked Campbell's centre when well placed 8 yards out.

Glenavon claims for a handball in the box on 77 minutes were waved away by the referee Michael Ross who indicated it came off a shoulder. Kieran O'Connor should have done better in the last minute when he tried to chip Miskelly from the edge of the box but his effort  ended up more as a back pass.