This was Ballymena United's first semi-final in the province's showpiece competition since 2005 and many thought there may just be an end in sight for a 21-year trophy famine since the last Irish Cup for the Sky Blues back in 1989.

Unfortunately for both sides the decision to screen the match live on the much maligned Setanta Ireland channel and therefore changing the kick-off time to 5.30pm had a detrimental affect on the size of the crowd. Added to the decision to make the game an all-ticket affair, Windsor Park had only a fraction of its capacity filled but those that did attend added greatly to a cracking cup atmosphere with the Braidmen out in considerably larger force than their Mid-Ulster counterparts.

The South Stand residents were on their feet as early the 8th minute as they thought Ballymena United were off to a dream start when Kevin Kelbie popped up at the back post and his half-volley from a corner went in off David Miskelly in the Ports' goal. However referee Adrian McCourt, ruled that Gary Haveron had caused an infringement in the build-up.

Things weren't looking good for Ronnie McFall's Ports as the Sky Blues had much of the early exchanges and to add to their problems they were forced to make two substitutions in the first half-hour; with experienced duo Gary McCutcheon and Keith O'Hara being forced off and replaced by Richard Leckey and Sean Mackle, respectively.

It was substitute Leckey who had the Shamrock Park side's first real opportunity when his effort came back off the frame of the goal but they took the lead on 36 minutes when United’s chronic inability to clear their lines cost them dearly. Gavin Taggart's poor clearance fell to Kevin Braniff and although the Portadown talisman's tame effort ballooned in the air, it allowed Jordan Baker to challenge with Dwayne Nelson at the back post and nod the ball home amidst vociferous protests from the United camp.

The half-time whistle could not come soon enough for the shell-shocked Sky Blues as the final ten minutes of the first period where spent chasing shadows and Nelson managed to redeem his earlier indecision with a superb reflex save from a dangerous looking Darren Kelly volley in stoppage time.

Visibly rallied following the interval Roy Walker's side found an equaliser on 65 minutes through former Portadown striker Andy Smith. The former Northern Ireland International took advantage of a mix-up between Redman and Teggart and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner to pull his side right back into the tie.

The tie quickly became pensive and tense as their side could muster a winner in the allotted 90 minutes, despite the best efforts of both sides - sending the game to extra time.

Noel Anderson's low drive was on the cusp of sending the Sky Blues through to their first final in 21 years, but it forced a smart low save from David Miskelly. Substitute Mark Surgenor looked destined to make all the headlines as he followed up the rebound from close range but the Ports goalkeeper somehow managed to turn it away to safety.

So after 120 minutes of football, the two sides could not be separated and it was now down to the lottery of penalty kicks.

It was advantage Ballymena with the first kick as Kevin Braniff's poor attempt was saved by Dwyane Nelson; coupled with goalscorer Andy Smith confidently tucking away his side's penalty.

That advantage wasn't to last long though as Richard Leckey scored for the Ports and teenage defender Chris Ramsey stepped up but agonisingly seen his shot turned away by Miskelly to bring the score on penalties level to 1-1.

Johnny Topley, Andy Hunter and Darren Kelly for Portadown all converted in succession for the Ports, whilst Kevin Kelbie and Noel Anderson also did the necessary, leaving the scores at 4-3 with Archie Stewart stepping up to take the final penalty of the allotted five and take the game to sudden death.

The 20-year-old defender watched in agony as Miskelly capped off a wonderful performance with the match-winning penalty save to send Portadown through to the Irish Cup semi-final to face either Linfield or Coleraine. The heart-break was tangible though for the success starved Braidmen.

Walker also admitted that bodies were thin on the ground when it came to choosing who would face the shoot-out lottery.

"I confess we had difficulties getting five penalty takers, naturally that was difficult," he said.

"We practiced them on Thursday night and on Saturday. Everybody that took penalties said they wanted to, but there was no major stampede.

"But I'm very proud of our players, I thought they played really well I know we were underdogs but I genuinely felt we played better football."

Pictures: www.presseye.com

Teams:

BALLYMENA UNITED	PORTADOWN
1: NELSON, Dwayne	1: MISKELLY, David
2: SMITH, Michael	2: O'HARA, Keith
3: STEWART, Aaron	3: REDMAN, Ross
4: HAVERON, Gary (c)	6: KELLY, Darren (c)
5: WATSON, Albert	8: McCLUSKEY, Ryan
6: WATSON, Aidan	10: BRANIFF, Kevin
7: COLLIGAN, Lee	12: MOUNCEY, Tim
8: TAGGART, Gavin	14: TEGGART, Ally
9: SMITH, Andy	15: McCUTCHEON, Gary
10: KELBIE, Kevin	18: BAKER, Jordan
11: LOCKHART, Darren	19: HUNTER, Andy
Substitutes	-
12: RAMSEY, Chris	13: ARMSTRONG, Neil
Replaced Gavin Taggart (46 mins)	Not Used
13: ANDERSON, Noel	20: MORRISON, Owen
Replaced Darren Lockhart (70 mins)	Not Used
14: SURGENOR, Mark	21: LECKEY, Richard
Replaced Gary Haveron (92 mins)	Replacec Gary McCutcheon (16 mins)
15: McNEILL, Paul	22: TOPLEY, Johnny
Not Used	Replaced Jordan Baker (77 mins)
20: O'NEILL, Sean	24: MACKLE, Sean
Not Used	Replaced Keith O'Hara (32 mins)
Yellow Cards:	-
Unknown	Unknown
Red Cards:	-
None	None