Richard Clarke scored two goals for Portadown

Richard Clarke netted the first after five minutes and Gary Hamilton slotted home the second on 20 minutes.

Darren Kelly smashed the ball home from Hamilton's corner after 36 and although Rory Hamill pulled one back on 42, Clarke added his second on 55 minutes.

Hamilton's corner was headed in by Philip Craig ten minutes later and Wesley Boyle completed the rout with a low right-foot shot after 80 minutes.

The Ports, missing Vinny Arkins who was dropped to the bench, started well and Clarke shot wide after just 16 seconds.

Hamilton was through on goal but was foiled by William McFrederick before Clarke met Boyle's cross at the backpost and dispatched the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

Gary Haveron's 35-yard shot for Ballymena sailed inches wide before Hamilton added the second.

Poor United defending allowed Kelly to score from Hamilton's corner and Hamill's header from a Garth Scates cross proved to be a mere consolation.

Clarke produced a superb finish for his second, lifting the ball over McFrederick after after playing a neat one-two with Hamilton.

Craig and Boyle got in on the act with a goal apiece as Ronnie McFall's side made amends for their recent 4-0 defeat by Linfield.