Michael Collins (right) was named man-of-the-match

Kevin Doyle put Cork ahead with a fine finish in the 63rd minute after a superb pass from Colin O'Brien.

After a disappointing first half, Ports keeper Paul Murphy made a great save to deny Dennis Behan after the break.

After Doyle's goal, Cork had a further chance but Behan failed to find unmarked goalscorer Doyle.

Both teams struggled in the windy conditions in the first half with the bumpy pitch also making control difficult.

In the ninth minute, a great piece of skill by Portadown's Michael Collins picked out Marc McCann in the box but the winger's cross failed to reach a team-mate.

However, the only decent strike on goal before half-time came in the 24th minute when Republic of Ireland under-21 striker Doyle went close for Cork with a volley after a deflected cross from George O'Callaghan.

We looked a bit jaded out there Portadown boss Ronnie McFall

Gary Hamilton replaced the injured Kyle Neill midway through the first half and the Northern Ireland international tried to run onto a clever through ball by Richard Clarke just before half-time but Cork goalkeeper Michael Devine ran out of his area to clear.

After the interval, Murphy kept Portadown on terms with his superb full-length dive which turned Behan's goalbound shot just wide.

Doyle's lead goal was a quality finish with the under-21 international slipping the ball underneath Murphy from a tight angle.

Behan had a great chance to play in Doyle again in the 71st minute but his pass was far too heavy and Murphy was able to gather.

Cork looked to be firmly in control at this stage but Portadown then produced some pressure which yielded an equaliser in the 76th minute from Kelly.

The former Derry City player was completely unmarked as he headed home Hamilton's deep corner.

In the closing minutes, Marc McCann and Behan tried long-range shots at either end without success.

We had Portadown in trouble but we relented and paid the penalty Cork boss Damien Richardson

Portadown boss Ronnie McFall and his midfielder and man-of-the-match Michael Collins both regarded the draw as a "point gained".

"We are part-timers playing against full-time players so we have got to be happy enough with a draw," said Collins.

"We looked a bit jaded out there," added McFall.

"It was our eighth game in 23 days and we looked out of game after the Cork goal so we've got to be happy enough with the draw".

Cork boss Damien Richardson was pleased with his team's overall display but rued the "failure to close out the game".

"I think we had Portadown in trouble in the second half but we relented and paid the penalty," said the Cork boss.