Irish Cup: Cliftonville edge past Portadown to reach semi-final stage

Cliftonville beat Portadown 2-0 at Shamrock Park to reach the semi-final stage of the Irish Cup.

Luke Wilson turned a Sean Stewart cross past Aaron Hogg and into his own net for the opening goal, before a near post finish from Sam Ashford sealed the victory for the Reds.

Cliftonville are bidding to end a 45-year wait to lift the Irish Cup.

Ashford and Ronan Hale had earlier hit the woodwork for Jim Magilton's side.

Eamon Fyfe also struck the post and had a goal disallowed for the Championship hosts in an entertaining encounter in Mid-Ulster.

It took until the 64th minute for the Reds to take the lead, courtesy of Wilson's own goal. The defender looked to intercept Stewart's in swinging cross, but inadvertently turned the ball past Hogg, giving the Reds a crucial advantage.

The win was sealed four minutes from the end, when Ashford dispossessed Wilson and played a neat one-two with Rory Hale before slotting home his fifth goal of the season.

Niall Currie's side thought they had levelled the score in the 72nd minute after Fyfe converted from close range, only to be denied by the linesman's flag for offside.

Wilson's own goal opened the scoring in the quarter-final tie

The Reds had chances to open the scoring earlier in the contest, with the first of those in the 16th minute when Ashford targeted Hogg's near post but was to be left frustrated after seeing the ball strike the post, with Rory Hale unable to capitalize on the rebound.

Portadown faced frustration of their own less than 10 minutes later when the woodwork came to the visitors' rescue, denying Fyfe's powerful drive from just inside the area.

Amidst a frantic first 45 minutes, Ronan Hale could've had a first half hat-trick, with the frontman's most significant chance coming in the 31st minute.

He was to be denied his 15th of the season, however, as a vital sliding tackle from Mark Russell thwarted the former Larne man's close-range attempt after a defensive lapse by Portadown.

The intensity continued in the second half, with Ronan Hale hitting the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Cliftonville held on to secure their place in the Irish Cup final four, whilst the Ports will now turn their attention to the BetMcLean League Cup final against Linfield next Sunday.