Matthew Lusty grabbed an 86th minute winner as Glentoran Colts defeated Portadown Youth in the Harry Cavan Youth Cup Third Round 'tie of the round' at Brownstown Park on Saturday.
Although scoreless at the break, Glentoran settled quickly and created a number of early chances but that final touch required to turn those opportunities into goals was lacking.
Portadown did come into proceedings more as the first half progressed and, as the moments ticked down towards the half-time whistle, the game developed into an end-to-end encounter.
Like the first, Glentoran started brightly in the second half but this was quickly countered by the Ports in what was an excellent advert for youth football.
Both sides had clear cut chances but, as extra-time started to become a possibility, an unmarked Lusty fired home from a acute angle inside the 18 yard box to give the visitors the lead.
Portadown fought back from the restart but had just left it too late to deny the visitors a place in the quarter-final draw.
Portadown Youth: Brown, Marsden, D. McCullough, Jordan, Smyth, Conaty, Irvine, Baird, Ginesi, Creighton, Teelan subs Wood (not used), Murphy (not used), J. McCullough (replaced Baird 89), Stewart (replaced Marsden 12), Griffin (replaced Irvine 70)
Glentoran Colts: Dalzell, Wilson, Carson, White, McGarvey, Smith, Lusty, McBride, Magee, Brown, Wood subs Fry (not used), Falls (replaced Brown 46), Russell (replaced White 79), Hoy (replaced Wood 65)
(Image: Brian Larkin, IFA Youth and Junior Committee, presents Glentoran's Caolan McBride with his man of the match award. Credit: Gary Hancock)
