Chris McKee's header on 11 minutes is the difference at the break as David Healy's side are a goal to the good at half-time.

Jack Keaney shapes to cross - or shoot - truthfully, it’s hard to tell.

Either way, it drifts harmlessly wide of the far post, and it’s a goal kick to the hosts.

Nathan Gartside is called into action as Chris McKee strikes with his left foot from outside the area.

Callumn Morrison finds McKee who shoots from outside the area, with Gartside doing well to push his effort around the post.

The resulting corner comes to nothing.

Declan McManus shows good strength to get to the by line where he chips a cross towards the back post.

Zane Okoro rises highest to get his head on the ball, but his effort lacks power and goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

That’s Jordan Gibson’s third league goal of the season, and it’s no less than Portadown deserve.

The hosts have edged the chances, and now they’ve got the reward to match.

Larne are heaping on the pressure following their opener.

First, Conor McKendry hits a volley from the edge of the box, which goes out for a corner.

From the set-piece, Tiarnan O'Connor finds space, but drags his shot wide.

Biggest cheer of the afternoon from home supporters as Jacob Blaney nutmegs Zane Okoro in front of the main stand.

Comes to nothing in the end, though.

Peter Campbell cuts the ball back to Michael O'Connor inside the Ballymena penalty area.

The striker seems to take an age before firing a shot which warms the palms of Sean O'Neill but is ultimately straight at the Ballymena keeper.

Keevan Hawthorne swings in a teasing cross from the left, and Ryan Curran meets it with a glancing header, but it crashes off the post and bounces clear.

With the better chances falling to the hosts through Josh Ukek, James Teelan and Ben Wylie, the Ports will be hoping those misses don’t come back to haunt them.

So far, the north Belfast side have been second best.

Brief break in play as Coleraine defender Levi Ives receives treatment following an aerial challenge with Crusaders frontman Fraser Bryden.

Callumn Morrison and Charlie Allen both go for the same ball, but it's Morrison who gets there as Nathan Gartside comes to the rescue to save twice from the Scotsman.

That's the first Linfield attack in a while after a sustained period of Carrick pressure.

Neat build-up from Niall Currie’s men as Josh Ukek slides a clever ball into the path of Steven McCullough on the left.

His lofted cross is intended for James Teelan, but Jack Keaney is alert to clear the danger.

Glenavon go close as Paul McGovern's shot is saved by Sean O'Neill and Ballymena defender Daithi McCallion gets to the loose ball just ahead of Michael O'Connor to hack the ball clear.

Ben Wylie glides past Odhran Casey just inside the box and opens up his body to steer a low effort across goal, but it flashes narrowly wide of the far post.

Larne are opting to use the passing range of their centre-backs to create attacking opportunities.

The attackers have been unable to create chances from the long balls so far.

Eamon Fyfe’s corner is cleared straight back to him, but as he looks to keep the move alive, the ball slips under his foot and trickles out for a throw-in.

That about sums up the last five minutes of play here at Shamrock Park.