Ports grab draw with Blues as United get off mark

Ryan Mayse scored 5 minutes into stoppage clip arsenic Portadown earned a last-gasp 2-2 tie pinch Premiership leaders Linfield astatine Shamrock Park connected Friday night.

The consequence ended nan Blues' 100% commencement to nan season, David Healy's broadside having won their erstwhile 4 matches to commencement nan campaign.

Matthew Fitzpatrick doubly gave Linfield nan lead successful either half, pinch Ahu Obhakan levelling successful nan first half and Mayse equalising pinch a stunning precocious strike.

Meanwhile summertime signing Ben Kennedy bagged a hat-trick arsenic Ballymena United clinched their first points of nan caller run astatine nan 5th clip of asking by defeating Glenavon 3-1 astatine nan Showgrounds.

The Braidmen move supra nan Lurgan Blues connected extremity quality into ninth spot successful nan table. Keith Ward was nan goalscorer for Stephen McDonnell's side.

The apical formation action continues connected Saturday pinch 3 15:00 BST kick-offs - Crusaders v Carrick Rangers, Glentoran v Cliftonville and Loughgall v Dungannon Swifts. Coleraine big Larne connected Sunday astatine 14:15 arsenic nan champions statesman nan defence of nan title they person won for nan past 2 seasons.