Portadown got the point they needed to secure a top-six finish in the Carling Premiership ahead of rivals Coleraine.

Kevin Braniff scored from a direct free-kick with the last kick of the first half to put Portadown ahead.

But goals from Coleraine's strike partnership of Darren Boyce and Rory Patterson swung the game in favour of a revived Bannsiders.

Gary McCutcheon and Braniff scored to put the Ports 3-2 up while Mukendi's fine finish gave Coleraine late hope.

But the home side could not find the winner they needed to get into the top half of the league.

So David Platt's men suffered another major disappointment a week after losing the Co-operative Insurance Cup final in a penalty shoot-out against Glentoran.

Portadown made the better start, almost scoring in the first minute as Sean Mackle charged down a Howard Beverland clearance and the ball came off the crossbar.

Patterson then had a shot saved by David Miskelly before Braniff hit the free-kick opener.

Boyce equalised in the 47th minute from a Patterson pass.

It was top scorer Patterson who put Coleraine into the lead when he latched on to Tommy McCallion's long ball to hook a great finish past the stranded Miskelly.

But McCutcheon snapped up Portadown's equaliser from close-range and then Braniff's long-range attempt deflected off Mukendi to beat O'Hare.

Mukendi's curling effort near the end gave Coleraine a point - but they needed all three.

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