Peter Thompson was on target twice for Linfield

Allan Smart missed a glorious early chance for the Ports before Thompson's opener for the Blues on 27 minutes.

A mistake by former Ports man Kris Lindsay mistake enabled Gary McCutcheon to level on 36 minutes.

Thompson hit the woodwork before restoring Linfield's lead on 57 although Smart headed a glorious late chance straight at Alan Mannus.

Linfield started without injured Noel Bailie and Jamie Mulgrew while Jim Ervin and Timmy Adamson also found themselves out of the side after starting in midweek against Dungannon.

Smart should have put the Ports ahead in the eighth minute but his weak shot was saved by Mannus.

Michael Gault then tested Kevin Pressman with a shot and the former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper went on to make a number of fine saves.

Thompson nodded home Linfield's opener from only two yards out in the 27th minute with the Ports defence marked absent.

The Blues then felt they should have had a penalty after Keith O'Hara had challenged Thompson but referee Adrian McCourt waved aside the Linfield protests.

Linfield's frustration only increased when McCutcheon levelled for the Ports in the 36th minute after Lindsay had allowed a long ball to float past him.

Before the break, Peter Kennedy seemed through on goal but the ball got caught up in his feet and the danger was averted.

After half-time, Thompson struck the Ports woodwork from close range with Pressman beaten.

Pressman then made a great save to deny Ferguson but Linfield were not to be denied in the 57th minute with Ferguson unselfishly squaring for Thompson to restore the Blues' lead.

Smart should have levelled for the Ports six minutes from time when he headed straight at Mannus.

Both sides could have scored in injury-time with Thompson hitting straight at Pressman and Mannus then doing well to stop a Gary Leggett shot.