Midfielder Michael Collins scored his first goal for Portadown

Two goals by Gary Hamilton allowed Portadown to keep their five-point lead at the top of the Daily Mirror Premiership.

Vinny Arkins and Michael Collins were also on the scoresheet for the leaders while Neil Candlish and Gareth Walsh replied for the home side.

Prompted by the excellent Collins in midfield, Portadown never really looked like being beaten with a loss of concentration allowing Larne back into the game on two occasions.

It was no surprise when Arkins gave the Ports the lead with a header at the back post after Larne failed to pick up the ace striker from a free-kick.

Hamilton should have given Portadown a two-goal advantage in the 27th minute, but he fired just passed the left-hand post after he had broken clear in the box.

Portadown keep up the pressure in a one-sided first half with Kyle Neill missing a glorious chance, and Arkins rattling the crossbar with another header.

But Collins finally broke through a minute from the break to claim his first league goal for Portadown when he evaded the off-side trap to round Andy McDonald and roll the ball home.

Larne stormed back into the game with a flourish in the second half and a mistake by Collins allowed Neil Candlish to score with a low drive.

But Hamilton restored Portadown's two-goal advantage in the 56th minute when Larne's off-side trap was again breached and the striker ran from just inside the half-way to score.

Hamilton made sure Portadown would stay at the top of the Irish League with his second goal five minutes from the end.

But immediately Larne struck back when Gareth Walsh was on hand to stroll around a lethargic Portadown defence to score.