Glentoran stay on top of the JJB Sports Irish Premiership table after coming from a goal down to beat Newry City.

Chris Morgan struck Newry ahead on 19 minutes after Glens defender Paul Leeman failed to control a harmless looking cross.

Newry's Kevin Keegan then rattled the woodwork before Philip Simpson headed the Glens level on 43 minutes.

Gary Hamilton volleyed a stunning winning goal six minutes into the second half.

Newry continued to cause the Glens trouble and substitute Paul Walsh got in behind the home defence but was unable to find the unmarked Morgan in the penalty area.

The Glens were sluggish in the opening half as Newry's 3-5-2 line-up negated the home team's effectiveness.

Andrew Waterworth did have an early half-chance for the Glens after a Cullen Feeney mistake but Paul Murphy was able to make the save.

Morgan then was gifted Newry's goal as Leeman and Morris allowed a harmless looking ball to drift all the way across to Morgan.

Keegan was inches away from adding to Newry's lead when his shot smacked off the woodwork.

Newry striker Stephen Garrett was causing centre-backs Leeman and Simpson a host of problems while Morris had to move smartly to push away a Stephen Ferguson shot.

However, against the run of play, the Glens levelled two minutes before the break as Simpson headed home a Hamilton corner.

Within six minutes of the restart, the Glens were in front as Hamilton thumped in a glorious volley which gave Murphy no chance.

With Daryl Fordyce now operating in central midfield, the Glens were much more convincing in the second half and they held on to claim three vital league points.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version