The hosts still plugging away but seem to be lacking a clinical edge in the final third. Niall Currie must feel at least a point will be there for the taking in the second half.

Kyle McClean rifles home inside the area to double Linfield's lead at Windsor Park.

Cameron Stewart picks up the first card of an increasingly-niggly game for a sliding challenge on Andrew Hoey. The kick is from dangerous range but Ryan Waide can't keep it down.

Sean Ward
BBC Sport NI pundit

One of the biggest things Stephen McDonnell brought to the team was being patient on the ball.

They are very loose in possession and forcing the pass too often. They are fortunate to find themselves one goal down and very much still in the game.

They need to stay in the game, retain possession of the ball and control the game as much as they can and just settle.

Frustrations are growing for Carrick already as ex-Glentoran pairing Seanan Clucas and Danny Gibson give each other an earful for getting in each other's way.

We might be able to hear Stuart King's half-time team talk from here at this rate.

Here is how Jordan Gibson headed Loughgall in front against his former side at Lakeview Park.

Len O'Sullivan's overhit cross nearly catches David Odumosu off guard at the back post.

The Reds' stopper scrambles to react, acrobatically turning the ball behind for a corner.

O'Sullivan's delivery may have been unintentional, but it almost paid off for the hosts.

Watch as Joel Cooper's low strike puts Linfield ahead at Windsor Park.

Glentoran come close to doubling their lead.

A free-kick from the right falls to an unmarked Jay Donnelly at the back post, but the forward can only head the ball into the ground allowing Aaron McCarey to hook the ball away from danger with an outstretched hand.

Carrick have been making things easy for the hosts since the goal. Their urgency has increased but they are telegraphing route one balls that are simply being sent back from where they came from by the Loughgall defence.

Jack Malone with a vital intervention for the Lurgan Blues!

Shea Gordon spots Ryan Curran in a dangerous position with just Gareth Deane to beat, but Malone is quick to react.

The midfielder launches into a perfectly-timed sliding tackle, denying Curran what seemed a certain second goal.

Sean Ward
BBC Sport NI pundit

There has been a tactical switch for Glenavon with Peter Campbell coming out onto the right hand side and [James] Doona coming out left.

Joe Gormley puts Cliftonville ahead at Mourneview Park with a fine strike.

The visitors nearly double their lead!

Shea Gordon threads a precise pass to Sean Stewart, who finds himself with a golden opportunity just eight yards out.

The crowd holds its breath as Stewart takes aim, but Gareth Deane showcases his lightning-fast reflexes to turn the ball behind for a corner.

All of the play now in the Glens half and this time it is ex-Glentoran man Shay McCartan with a surge across the edge of the penalty area and a rifled effort, but it is straight at Daniel Gyollai in goal. They need to make one of these count you feel.

Philip Major
BBC Sport NI summariser

Portadown need to get their frontmen into the game more. They have linked up a couple of times, but so far, it's been a bit of a stuttering start for them.

The match has descended into a scrappy affair, with both teams struggling to maintain possession.

Stephen McDonnell and Jim Magilton cut frustrated figures on the touchline, their exasperation quickly growing into anger at their side's inability to hold onto the ball.

Both managers are clearly on the same page, demanding more from their players in this error-strewn first half.