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PORTADOWN boss Niall Currie admitted he was “frustrated” to have conceded an injury-time equaliser in the 1-1 Sports Direct Premiership draw at Ballymena United – but said he couldn’t have been any more “proud” of his players’ battling display.
The Ports are in eighth, five points behind seventh-placed Carrick Rangers in the last European play-off spot, while Oran Kearney’s Braidmen are in tenth, five points clear of Crusaders – who are in the relegation play-off spot – but with a match more played.
Eamon Fyfe gave Portadown an 84th-minute lead from the penalty spot after Sean Murray was adjudged to have handled Ben Quinn’s shot. Then substitute Jack O’Reilly levelled in stoppage time following a mix-up in the visitors’ defence.
Currie said: “We knew it was going to be a difficult game on a difficult pitch. Ballymena are fighting tooth and nail for every point. I’d probably have taken a point before it but we are hugely disappointed we didn’t get all three points.
“We had some huge chances. I’m frustrated but I’m proud of the players - they matched Ballymena all over the pitch. Their equaliser came from a mistake when we lost possession.
“You just have to suck it up but I’m proud of the boys - they just didn’t get their just rewards.”
Portadown visit Linfield in the league on Tuesday night, an evening when title-chasing Glentoran make the short trip to Bangor and Cliftonville clash with Crusaders at Seaview in the north Belfast derby.
Currie added: “Who wouldn’t look forward to a match like that. As a part-time club we are feeling the effects of a very busy schedule and of course it will be difficult, but we are relishing it.”
