League Cup quarter-final: Cliftonville 2-0 Portadown

Cliftonville have won the League Cup for the last two seasons

Cliftonville remained on course to win the League Cup for the third season running by beating Portadown in Tuesday's quarter-final at Solitude.

In-form striker Joe Gormley, who scored a hat-trick in Friday's Premiership win over Warrenpoint, pounced twice in the first half.

Gormley struck the opener in the 28th minute by getting past defender Chris Casement before netting a low shot.

The second quickly followed as Gormley scored from Stephen Garrett's pass.

It was enough to send Tommy Breslin's men into the semi-finals as they aim to retain the trophy for a second season.

Cliftonville could have added to their tally but Garrett shot wide before half-time while Gormley fired over shortly after the break.

Gormley was then replaced by substitute David McDaid with Reds boss Breslin probably thinking about Saturday's north Belfast derby against Premiership title rivals Crusaders.

For Portadown, defender Chris Casement's well-struck free-kick was tipped over by Cliftonville goalkeeper Conor Devlin.