City had taken the lead against the run of play on 63 minutes, but Alan McDonald's men again showed that they have the character to storm back and take the three points, despite going behind.

The first half was a quiet affair as far as chances are concerned. Daryl Fordyce and David Scullion looked dangerous, but were unable to find the target with efforts in before the break.

It took some excellent defending from the visitors to prevent Gary Hamilton and Philip Carson from breaking the dead-lock, as their stinging, goal-bound efforts on 25 minutes were each bravely blocked by defenders.

Newry offered little fare in attack, with just one note-worthy effort in the first period. But the highly-rated Richard Clarke sliced his effort, shooting off target, high into the chilly November air, as a quick counter-attack involving Sean Friars swiftly came to nothing.

But while the first half was quiet infront of goal, the midfield battle was holding intrigue for all involved, with Dean Fitzgerald, Philip Carson and Daryl Fordyce bossing the play and dominating the middle-ground, while their Newry counter-parts were determined to stick to the task, chasing for every ball. The inevitable result was a few heavy challenges, that all players must really have felt in wintery East Belfast.

But as much as the first half was cold, so the second exploded into life. Scullion and Fordyce had again went close, before Gary Hamilton found himself clear through on goal just before the hour mark. Hamilton took his chance early, but Robert Robinson produced a fine save in the visitors goal, to keep the scores level. The miss would look even more significant just 3 minutes later.

After a Glentoran corner, Newry were quick to break, and caught the Glens stretched at the back. A right-wing cross caused havoc in defence, and when the ball broke free, Steven Garrett was there to poke home the opener, and stun The Oval crowd.

Glentoran have found themselves in this position on a number of occasions this season, and had to call on those experiences to mount a spirited comeback. Michael Halliday lead the line well, and headed just wide from a Tim McCann cross on 66 minutes, before Hamilton saw a left foot volley fly over.

It began to look like it was just a matter of time before the equaliser would come, and it duely arrived on 75 minutes. Another dangerous McCann cross was only partially cleared, and the impressive Fordyce smashed home a stunning effort to level the scores.

The home team had a visible confidence in their play now, went in search of a winner and were not to be denied.

Jamie McGovern did well on the right wing, and delivered a tantalising cross, which Hamilton managed to direct to Dean Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald evaded two challenges and teed the ball up for Jason Hill, who calmly rolled the ball home, giving Robison no chance, and taking the three points for the Glens.

Each team would have one final chance in the game, when Hamilton almost forced Paddy McLaughlin to put through his own goal, and Elliott Morris produced an excellent point-blank save in the final minutes, but no more goals were to come.