A sharp move from the hosts as Tiarnan Mulvenna finds Ben Arthurs, who slips a clever ball in behind for Ben Cushnie.

The pass just runs away from him though, denying Cushnie the chance to shape up for a finish.

Linfield's Sean Brown the next to try his luck from distance but his effort from 20 yards sails wide of Aaron McCarey's left-hand post.

A largely quiet opening here at Windsor Park which Portadown manager Niall Currie will be doubt delighted about.

Philip Major
Sportsound summariser

Dream start for Glentoran. Jim Ervin is going apoplectic on the sidelines. Ballymena have been the architects of their own downfall.

The corner is easily dealt with and drifts harmlessly away.

Still waiting for this one to ignite, with both sides probing but yet to find the quality to spark the contest into life.

Tiarnan O’Connor shows quick feet inside the penalty area, twisting past his marker before his effort is blocked behind by Reece Neale.

The visitors have their first corner of the afternoon, and a chance to test the hosts from a set-piece.

Jonathan Tuffey with his second smart save of the afternoon, this time to deny Will Patching.

The midfielder, on loan from Carlisle United, is afforded lots of time and space by the Crusaders defence from a Dean Jarvis throw-in but Tuffey saves with his legs.

Both sides have shown promise when attacking down the flanks, but the final ball has left a lot to be desired.

Jack O’Mahoney makes his way off after that early knock, and Mick Morgan is introduced in his place.

There have been a few niggly tackles so far with Paul Heatley the latest culprit.

However despite Rory Hale's free-kick being flicked towards goal, Nathan Gartside reads the situation well and thwarts the chance.

Ballymena's Joel Thompson is shown a yellow card for a challenge on Daniel Larmour.

Jack O’Mahoney goes down and quickly signals that he can’t carry on. It’s an early setback for Lee Feeney and the hosts, who now face a reshuffle far sooner than they would have liked.

Glentoran break quickly with Jordan Jenkins on the left hand side of the penalty area but with better options in the middle, his shot is wide of the mark.

The visitors have made much the better start in this game.

Matthew Fitzpatrick with the first shot on goal today.

Fitzpatrick picked up the ball on half-way and carried unopposed to deep into the Portadown half. His low drive was pushed away for the first corner of the game by Aaron McCarey in the Portadown goal.

A corner which was easily dealt with by the visitors defence.

Matty Lusty times his run smartly in-behind, latching onto Benji Magee’s pass, but the weight is all wrong.

It skips through comfortably for Gareth Deane, who gathers without a hint of pressure.

A first sight of the home side in an attacking sense after seven minutes.

Ross Clarke, making his first start of the season following injury, stands up Coleraine left-back Dean Jarvis before bursting into the box.

Unfortunately for him his left foot shot is badly off target.

Still, much better from Crusaders.

An early stoppage in the game as Glenavon's Kyle McClelland goes down inside the box with what looks like a shoulder injury.

After some lengthy treatment his day is done and he is replaced by Kris Lowe.