SALLEY ON TARGET FOR PORTS
Portadown took a step towards climbing out of the bottom two with a closely fought victory over Ballymena United at Shamrock Park.
The visitors created the best chance during the opening exchanges when Paul McElroy got on the end of a Ross Redman cross to force keeper Jethren Barr into turning the ball behind.
Portadown's best effort of note came midway through the half through Stephen Teggart after he collected the ball some 30 yards from goal before advancing a little and firing just wide.
That was until the 35th minute, however, when Adam Salley grabbed what proved to be the winner with a long range finish which left keeper Sean O'Neill motionless as it ended up in the bottom corner.
Teggart came close to doubling Portadown's lead around the hour mark but his stinging drive was well tipped over by O'Neill.
Ballymena almost got back into the game on 78 minutes when a moment of confusion between Paddy McNally and Barr presented Conor Kelley with a glorious opportunity but he lost his balance and fired over with the goal at his mercy.
With time running out Andy McGrory was next to close for United only to fire into the side netting but the last chance of the game fell to Teggart who found himself through on stoppage time but O'Neill did enough to narrow the angle and keep the ball out.
Portadown: Barr, Hall, Ruddy, Tipton, Salley, Anderson, Conaty, McNally, Teggart, Beverland, Stedman subs Burns (not used), McCallum (not used), Murphy (not used), Doherty (replaced Conaty 81), Mashigo (replaced Tipton 88), Chatee (not used), Dupree (replaced Anderson 68)
Ballymena United: O’Neill, Redman, Kelly, McElroy, McCullough, Parkhouse, Loughran, Keeley, Millar, Nelson, Place subs Johnston (not used), Waide (replaced Parkhouse 56), Kane (replaced Redman 89), Barr (replaced Loughran 70), McGrory (replaced Place 46), Graham (not used), Smith (not used)
Substitution 
Substitution 
