Cliftonville defeated Portadown 2-0 in an NIFL Premiership match at Shamrock Park on Wednesday evening. Joe Sheridan scored the opener in the 18th minute after Ryan Curran passed to him on the edge of the box. His low strike went into the bottom corner.

Rory Hale added the second goal in the 86th minute with an angled free-kick from the right. Alex Moore dropped the ball over the line according to the linesman. The result gives Cliftonville three points clear of Carrick Rangers for sixth place with two games in hand. They trail Dungannon Swifts by three points with two games in hand.

Jim Magilton, Cliftonville manager, stated his team showed excellent basics and discipline in the first half. He noted Sheridan scored a fine goal and praised the defence in the second half. Magilton said the win builds momentum after Sunday's result.

Portadown threatened early with Josh Carson's flicked header gathered by PJ Morrison. Rory Hale had chances including a curling shot parried by Moore and a free-kick headed over by Josh Kelly. In the second half, Divin Isamala missed a close-range chance.

Cliftonville made three changes from their prior match due to injuries to Luke Conlon and Brian Healy, and absence of Adebayo Fapetu. Sean Robertson, Joe Sheridan and Ryan Curran started.

Portadown lineup: Moore, Altintop, Isamala, Chapman (Minzamba 46’), McCullough, Fyfe, Tetteh (Quinn 67’), Teeland, Obhakhan, Towe, Carson. Cliftonville lineup: Morrison, Leppard, Addis, Glynn, Toole, Kelly, Hale (Pepper 89’), Sheridan, Robertson (McCay 75’), McStravick (Hawthorne 67’), Curran (Carroll 89’). Referee: Declan Hassan.