Linfield begin the weekend on top of the BOYLE Sports Premiership after a hard fought win over Portadown at Shamrock Park.
It rounds off dream week for David Healy’s men who defeated champions Larne on Tuesday night and have now leapfrogged leaders Coleraine to take spot for the first time this season.
After a goalless first half, the home side took the lead from the penalty spot in the 48th minute.
Chris Shields upended Eamon Fyfe in the box and Ben Kennedy dispatched from the spot kick past Chris Johns.
Portdown’s lead didn’t last long and it was in-form Rhys Brennan who brought the Blues level.
Isaac Baird picked out Matt Fitzpatrick who flicked it on Dubliner Brennan and he finished coolly past Aaron McCarey.
Portadown withstood the expected onslau after that but their brave resistance was eventually broken on 80 minutes.
This time it was Fitzpatrick getting on the end of things after Kyle McClean’s corner eluded everyone before the forward forced it home at the back post.
Portadown tried to rescue a point with James Teelan going close in injury time but Linfield dug out the win to put them top and extend their unbeaten run in the league to 12 games.