Irish Premiership: Portadown 3-0 Ballinamallard United

Portadown remain the Premiership leaders after a comfortable home victory over Ballinamallard United.

Sean Mackle gave the Ports an eighth-minute lead although keeper Fergal Murphy did well to turn the shot onto the bar before it spun into the net.

Striker Darren Murray made it 2-0 just before the break, following up after Murphy had half saved his first effort.

Murphy gifted the Ports their third, playing the ball straight to Mark McAllister to set up Murray to tap in.

That came on 62 minutes and confirmed another good result for Portadown who have had four wins and two draws in their last six Premiership matches.

"We are hoping to stay at the top for as long as possible but it is early in the season," said double scorer Murray.

"You have to wait until Christmas and then see who is in contention. You would expect sides like Cliftonville and Linfield to come back into it at some stage.

"But I feel this is the strongest squad Portadown have had since I came to the club.

"Everyone is buzzing and the training has been brilliant."