Football: ARMAGH PLATING IS TOO TOUGH FOR PORTS

COLIN Malone had a smile as broad as the Holm Park goal after his Armagh City team battled back from two goals down against neighbours Portadown to snatch a deserved draw.

The Carnegie Premier League new boys proved they're not simply there to make up the numbers.

A 70th-minute Davy Ward penalty, awarded after he was upended by John Convery, along with a first-half strike by defender Johnny Cowan earned City a big point when Ronnie McFaul's team looked to have grabbed the points.

City skipper Murphy headed into his own net from Kyle Neill's corner before Gary Hamilton fired home from close range to put the Ports two up after just 18 minutes.

A delighted Malone beamed: "To come back from two goals down against any team deserves an enormous amount of credit.

"But to come back from two goals down against a quality side like Portadown is even more impressive.

"At no stage did we throw in the towel. We deserved the draw and we could have nicked the win." Disappointed Ports boss McFaul said: "It was a big two points dropped. We had numerous chances to put the game out of reach but failed to take them."

RATINGS

ARMAGH CITY: Rice 7, Carlisle 7, Turkington 6, Casey 6, Murphy 7, Cowan 7, Ward, 8, Hawthorne 7, Reilly 6, McGeown 6, Meehan 5.

PORTS: Murphy 7, McStay 6, O"Hara 7, Marks 5, Convery 6, Kelly 7, Quinn 7, Neill 6, Hamilton 6, Arkins 6, McCann 7.

MANAGERS

Malone 8, McFall 8.

REFEREE: A McCourt 7.

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