Postpublished at 20:20 BST 29 August

20:20 BST 29 August

Portadown 0-0 Crusaders

There is a stoppage in play while starting debutant Rhys Annett receives treatment for a back injury.

He has looked lively tonight so Portadown won't want to lose his threat.

Baris Altintop intercepts Fraser Bryden's run into the box after Adam Brooks had slipped the ball across for the fellow striker.

That was a good move from the defender.

Following the resultant corner, Aaron Jarvis goes down in the penalty area following a challenge from Tiarnan O'Connor but referee Christopher Morrison sees nothing untoward.

Ben Kennedy's fizzing drive for Ballymena is tipped over the crossbar by Rohan Ferguson.

Jordan Forsythe picks up the first yellow card of the game for a foul on Lee Chapman.

Another strike from range for Portadown, this time from James Teelan.

However, Jonny Tuffey comfortably collects it.

Larne's James Simpson is sandwiched between Ballymena duo Ali Gould and David Toure as he attempts to break quickly.

Gould is the name which enters referee Christopher Morrison's notebook.

A half clearance falls to Ben Wylie, who has lots of space 25-yards out, but his curling strike sails over the crossbar.

Close to a second for Larne as Tomas Cosgrove's header from a Mark Randall corner prompts a madcap goalmouth scramble but Tiarnan O'Connor can't force his effort from close range past Sean O'Neill and Ballymena breathe again.

Benji Magee steers the ball beyond Sean O'Neill to score the opener at Inver Park.

The ball falls to Adam Brooks at the edge of the box, whose strong effort is narrowly wide of the right hand post.

Plenty of chances in the last few minutes.

James Teelan bursts into the box and fires into the side netting.

Teelan had done well to find space there, but his strike wasn't as convincing.

Lee Chapman's cross takes a deflection and looks like it's sneaking into the bottom left hand corner, but Jordan Forsythe hoofs the ball to safety.

That was a bit of a nervy moment for Declan Caddell's side.

Larne almost counter-attack from a Ballymena corner but just as Matty Lusty gets into his stride again, he is thwarted by a timely tackle from Joel Thompson.

The home side will certainly feel they have the pace to trouble United.

Brendan Hamilton's free-kick from 25-yards out is nodded over by Fraser Bryden.

Bryden has been heavily involved so far when the Crues push forward.

Mark Randall clips a free kick into the penalty area from which Tomas Cosgrove drifts onto completely unmarked but he can't keep his header on target.

Plenty of enquiring looks among Ballymena's defenders as to the lack of marking there.

Fraser Bryden holds off his marker, Divin Isamala, and nods just wide of the left hand post.

That was the best chance so far.

Elliot Dunlop's cross towards goal is deflected by defender Lee Chapman before Aaron McCarey knocks the ball out of play to give Crusaders their first corner of the game.

However, it comes to nothing.

Mark Randall, a player on form for Larne so far this season, chances his arm from long-range but his effort falls midway between the goals and the corner flag.