Improvement needed ahead of cup semi-final

But the nature of the loss leaves boss Roy Walker with plenty to deliberate before the sides meet again in the JJB Sports Irish Cup semi-final on April 10 – a game which will either prolong United's season or else kill it stone dead.

Certainly, United's performance level will have to be raised significantly from this display if they are to claim their first final spot since winning the trophy 21 years ago.

"I thought our ball retention was very poor and the only saving grace is that I think we can play much better against them (in the semi-final)," said Walker.

"It was one of those games where we didn't really turn up. Whether the last couple of games have taken something out of them, I don't know but we started poorly and didn't pick it up.

"Fifteen minutes at the end of the first half and 15 minutes at the end of the second half were about as much as we had to play in the right areas of the pitch.

"We got into some good positions on the right had side in the first half but our crosses went to the goalkeeper four times out of four.

"It looked to me that Portadown had more to play for – they were just that wee ounce quicker to things and I'm glad we do have other players to come in who can change things.

"I thought our body language was poor – we had players with their shoulders hunched over and their head down and we had players who were completely anonymous.

"I thought in the middle of the park we were too stand-offish and our passing was shambolic, especially in situations where we weren't under pressure," added Roy.

A disappointing game was settled by one of the few moments of quality in it, with Richard Clarke's fifth minute half-volley from the edge of the penalty area giving United keeper Dwayne Nelson no chance as it arrowed into the top corner.

Ballymena, who had a Michael Smith header chalked off for offside in the first half, didn't really come to life until the closing seven minutes, after Portadown full-back Ross Redman was dismissed for a lunging late tackle on Andy Smith.

David Cushley and Andy Smith worked keeper David Miskelly during that spell but it was too little, too late for the off-colour Sky Blues.

Ballymena United: Nelson, Ramsey, Stewart, Haveron, Surgenor (sub McLaughlin 69), Watson (sub Colligan 46), M Smith, Anderson (sub Cushley 69), A Smith, Kelbie, Muir. Subs (not used): McVey, Lemon.

Portadown: Miskelly, O'Hara, Redman, Kelly, Hunter, Mouncey, Clarke, Braniff, Morrison (sub McCluskey 83), Teggart (sub Lecky 81), Baker. Subs (not used): Armstrong, McCullough, Topley.

Referee: Raymond Hetherington (Dungannon).