Glentoran produced a Halloween night to remember at The BetMcLean Oval as Pat Hoban’s double fired Declan Devine’s side to a 2–1 victory over Portadown in the Sports Direct Premiership.

The striker struck either side of the break to earn the Glens three valuable points and keep their pursuit of the league leaders firmly on track.

The Glens started the game brightly and almost made the perfect start when Dylan Connolly burst down the right and whipped in a teasing cross that was sliced narrowly over his own crossbar by Lewis MacKinnon.

Moments later, Hoban was involved again, flicking on Danny Amos’ corner for Jordan Jenkins to hook over from close range as Glentoran piled on the early pressure.

At the other end, Portadown carved out a rare opening when Luke Wilson powered through midfield but dragged his shot wide of Andrew Mills’ far post.

Glentoran continued to dictate the tempo and took a deserved lead seven minutes before the break. Hoban robbed MacKinnon on the edge of the area and was hauled down by the defender, leaving referee Ben McMaster no choice but to point to the spot.

The striker picked himself up and coolly sent Alex Moore the wrong way from twelve yards to make it 1–0.

The visitors enjoyed their best spell of the match after the restart, forcing a string of corners that tested the Glentoran back line.

Mills had to be alert to parry a dipping free-kick from Ryan Mayse before Portadown found their equaliser just past the hour mark. James Teelan capitalised and drove into the box before squaring for Eamon Fyfe to stab home from close range.

The equaliser sparked an immediate response from the Glens. Connolly went close moments later with a curling effort tipped over the bar, while Kelly’s header from the resulting corner drifted inches wide.

With twenty minutes remaining, Glentoran’s pressure finally told. Cameron Palmer released Amos down the left and the full-back’s inch-perfect cross was expertly powered into the far corner by Hoban to restore the lead.

In the closing stages, substitute David Fisher almost added a third when he raced clear on the counter, only for Moore to make a fine low save. At the other end, captain Marcus Kane produced a superb sliding block to deny Fyfe a late chance as Glentoran saw out the win.

Glentoran return to action on Tuesday evening when they host Crusaders at The BetMcLean Oval in the BetMcLean Cup, before resuming Sports Direct Premiership duties on Saturday 8 November against Glenavon (kick-off 3:00pm) at Mourneview Park.

Full-Time: Glentoran 2–1 Portadown

Starting line-up: Mills, Cooney, Kane, Kelly (Thomson 68), Connolly (Fisher 68), Palmer, Hoban, McEleney, Burt, Amos, Jenkins (Russell 93).

Unused subs: Crellin, Pattison, Coll, Kamson-Kamara.