A cross-cum-shot there from Eamon Fyfe almost finds its way into the net but ends up going just over the bar.

Harry Franklin's curling shot from just outside the box lands on the top of the net as the home side continue to dominate and push for more goals.

Ethan McGee works space for a shot but cannot trouble Sean O'Neill who can watch it drift well wide.

Stewart Nixon travels into the box with his strike from a tight angle deflected by Nathan Gartside with Kieran Offord unable to fire home the rebound.

That was a good chance for the home side.

Declan Dunne was incensed that the penalty was given, appealing he got the ball first and the pictures seem to suggest he might have had a point...

Joe Gormley won't care too much after stroking home the spot kick.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Andy Mitchell gets the second half underway.

Rodney McAree's chargers are facing a stern test to maintain their impressive home record against a Cliftonville side that found its clinical edge before the break.

Joel Cooper tees up Charlie Allen for a first-time strike but it doesn't even get as far as Sean O'Neill as Daithi McCallion blocks well.

Yellow card for Paul Heatley for a poor challenge.

Portadown will be hoping for better in the second half as Eamon Fyfe gets us underway.

We're back underway at Mourneview Park for the second half.

Can the hosts turn their dominance of the ball into a goal, or with the Glens see it out and claim all three points?

Jordan Forsythe heads Jarlath O'Rourke's corner narrowly off-target.

The home side have made a bright start to the second half.

Back underway at a now rain-sodden Windsor Park. Can either side break the deadlock?

No changes at the break as Harry Franklin gets the action back underway at Seaview.

Joe Gormley confidently dispatches the spot kick for his second and Cliftonville's third after Rory Hale was brought down in the box.

Northern Ireland Football League chief executive Gerard Lawlor says criticism in the wake of Larne's 4-1 defeat by Shamrock Rovers was "over the top".

The Premiership champions were easily beaten by their League of Ireland opponents in the north v south encounter in the Uefa Conference League.

Larne are the first side from Northern Ireland to qualify for the league or group phase of a major European competition.

"Larne didn't have a great game, they didn't play well and maybe the occasion got to them," said Lawlor.

"Some of the criticism of Larne as a club and us as a league after it was unfair."

Larne started the campaign with a 3-0 defeat by Molde and the Rovers setback was following by losing 2-1 to St Gallen on Thursday night.

"Shamrock Rovers started their [European] journey 13 years ago. I think we have to keep up with that and try to develop."

Read more from him here.

Franklin slots home a low effort to double Crusaders' lead at Seaview.

Joe Gormley's on a hat-trick going into the second half, thumbs up this post if you think he will complete his treble or thumbs down if you think he will have to settle for the two goals.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

David Jeffrey
Former Larne, Linfield & Ballymena manager on BBC Sport NI

Linfield started very well but Ballymena adjusted, weathered the storm and came back into the game. Both sides have had spells of domination of the ball but neither side has really threatened goal and neither keeper has had a real save to make. It's an intriguing contest and the teams going in level at half-time is probably fair.

A commanding lead for the visitors at the break despite falling behind early.

Declan Dunne will need to tread carefully in the second half, having picked up a yellow card for the stoppage-time foul that led to Joe Gormley's penalty conversion.