Distillery striker Sean Armstrong (right) scored the winning goal

The Ports dominated possession but Distillery posed more threat and scored the only goal on 42 minutes.

Darren Armour's shot hit a post and Sean Armstrong was quickest to react to slot home the rebound.

Ryan McCann went close for the Whites in the second half while Portadown's Marc McCann missed a chance to level.

Ports midfielder McCann had three efforts early in the game - two were blocked while the third was palmed away by keeper Philip Matthews.

Distillery winger Francis Murphy also had a shot blocked before scuffing a shot when well placed.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Portadown failing to turn possession into chances.

Murphy wasted another opportunity to score, this time firing over the crossbar.

The Ports have lost ground in the title race and trail Linfield and Glentoran by three points.

Six points from two league games leaves Paul Kirk's Distillery team in mid-table.