PORTADOWN produced a superb midweek performance under the floodlights at Solitude to see off top-flight Cliftonville by a 4-3 scoreline on Wednesday.

The IFA Championship-based Ports held a 2-0 lead thanks to Alan Teggart’s double before goals by Francis Murphy and George McMullan levelled the tally.

Andy Hunter drilled home a superb free-kick to push the Ports back on top around the hour mark.

The drama continued as Ciaran Donaghy headed home Cliftonville’s third of the night.

Gary McCutcheon then stepped up to seal a memorable 4-3 triumph.

Teggart managed to break the deadlock on eight minutes by racing clear of the Cliftonville backline and netting with a lob. His second arrived courtesy of a crisp drive into the bottom corner.

Murphy reduced the deficit on 44 minutes from the penalty spot and McMullan’s second-half strike from the edge of the penalty area nestled in the net via a deflection.

Hunter’s long-range free-kick drive placed the Ports back in control of the tie before Donaghy set up a thrilling finale.

Portadown confirmed success on the night - and overall - thanks to McCutcheon’s injury-time shot.

CLIFTONVILLE:Connolly, R.Scannell, O’Hara, M.Holland, C.Scannell, McMullan, Murphy, Smyth, Donaghy, O’Neill, Catney.Subs:Hamill (Catney, 78 mins), Patterson, Downey (Holland, 61 mins), Boyd, Boyce (Smyth, 90 mins).

PORTADOWN:Armstrong, O’Hara, Redman, Hunter, Convery, McCullough, Sproule, McCluskey, McCutcheon, Leckey, Teggart.Subs:Coleman (Convery, 31 mins), Wright, Haire, Topley, Boyle (Teggart, 81 mins).

Referee:Brian Turkington (Bangor).