Ronnie McFall's Portadown couldn't break down Linfield

Portadown and Linfield couldn't provide a goal in the Daily Mirror Irish League encounter at Shamrock Park.

Former Northern Ireland striker Glenn Ferguson came closest to breaking the deadlock seven minutes from time with a header which came back off the woodwork.

Portadown looked the better side in the opening period.

Vinny Arkins missed with a headed chance while Gary Hamilton and John Convery had efforts blocked.

Linfield came much more into the contest after half-time.

Stuart King went close with a long range effort in the third quarter and Chris Morgan then failed to find the target with a headed effort.

Ards and Cliftonville also failed to find the target at Taylor's Avenue.

David Rainey went close for Ards in the 14th minute with a shot but Frankie Parks' side suffered a blow later in the first half when Peter Lowry had to leave the field because of injury.

Chris Morgan missed a second half chance

David Young missed a glorious chance for Ards a minute before half-time.

Ards continued to look the better side in the second half and Craig McCracken missed an opportunity in the 57th minute.

Cliftonville substitute Ciaran McMullan tried to rally his colleagues with a 73rd minute shot which went just wide.

Late on Ards had claims for a penalty turned down.

Lisburn Distillery and Glenavon also failed to produce a goal at Ballyskeagh but Newry hit three without reply against Crusaders at the Marshes.

Graham Lawlor nodded Newry ahead in the second minute after Crusaders goalkeeper John Connolly had failed to gather a cross.

Lawlor scored his second goal of the day in the 32nd minute while substitute John Joe Maguire nodded the third a minute from time.

Newry had midfielder Robert Casey sent off in the closing stages after he appeared to be involved in an off-the-ball incident with Crusaders' Gary Chisholm.

Daily Mirror Irish League results
Premier Division
Coleraine 2-2 Glentoran
Portadown 0-0 Linfield
Lisburn Distillery 0-0 Glenavon
Ards 0-0 Cliftonville
Newry Town 3-0 Crusaders