BALLYMENA United are still waiting for their first victory of the season after a 3-1 defeat at Portadown in their second CIS Cup group match today.

The Sky Blues deservedly led 1-0 at the break thanks to a Kevin Kelbie strike but then wilted under pressure from the home side in the second period.

"It was disappointing because the players did all we asked of them in the first half but then didn't do their jobs in the second half," reflected manager Tommy Wright.

United made a blistering start and came close to going in front on nine minutes when Austin Friel turned defender Barry Hunter and his 18-yard shot crashed off the underside of the bar, with Kelbie heading the rebound over from eight yards.

Ballymena again went close on 23 minutes when Friel's deep free kick to the back post was headed back across goal by Gordon Simms and skipper Albert Watson saw his header kept out at point-blank range by Ports keeper Michael Dougherty.

United, whose approach play was neat, were well on top in the opening period but almost conceded a goal from the home side's first meaningful attack on 41 minutes when Allan Smart's glancing header from Keith O'Hara's left-wing cross came back off the inside of the post and spun to safety.

But a minute later Ballymena were in front. Mark Picking's low cross was touched on by Friel and Kelbie, who had made a late burst into the penalty area, arrived to steer a shot past Dougherty.

Portadown introduced midfielder Michael Collins at the break and he was instrumental in his side's revival, the first signs of which came on 54 minutes when McCutcheon's fierce drive struck the top of the crossbar.

And on the hour mark, the home side did draw level, from the penalty spot, after Craig McClean was adjudged to have pulled down McCutcheon as the striker was about to shoot. United keeper Paul Murphy did get a hand to Smart's spot kick but was unable to keep it out.

Ten minutes later and United were behind. Aaron Callaghan produced a timely tackle to halt a Richard Clarke run but when the ball popped loose, McCutcheon took a couple of steps forward and curled home a delightful shot from the edge of the penalty area, the ball cannoning off the inside of the post into the opposite corner.

And with United's morale sapping away, the Ports wrapped up the victory when McCutcheon powered home a header from an excellent right wing cross by Marc McCann.

Portadown: Dougherty, McStay, Hunter, Convery, O'Hara, McCann, Devenney (sub Collins 46), Clarke, Kennedy, Smart, McCutcheon. Subs (not used): Marks, Baker.

Ballymena United: Murphy, Callaghan, McClean, Haveron, Albert Watson, Simms, Picking (sub Melly 70), Aidan Watson, Patrick (sub Scates 70), Kelbie, Friel (sub Fitzgerald 77).

Referee: Ken Ginnett (Newtownabbey).