Cliftonville FC's search for a Premiership win was extended by a late sucker punch in a 2-1 home defeat to Portadown on Saturday. A stoppage-time goal from substitute Scott condemned the Reds to a fifth consecutive league loss.
The result leaves Cliftonville ninth in the Premiership table with 12 points from 12 games, a position that reflects their current run of form. They have now lost their last five matches, scoring just three goals in that period. Their record of four wins and eight defeats from their 12 games has them 19 points behind league leaders Coleraine FC in the title race.
Portadown took the lead after half an hour through Kennedy. Cliftonville responded well after the break, with Healy finding the net in the 54th minute to level the score. The home side pushed for a winner but were caught on the break deep into added time, with Scott firing home to secure all three points for the visitors.
Managerial changes were made in search of a spark, with Gormley, Conlan and Hawthorne all introduced from the bench in the final quarter of the game. The match was a physical affair, with Wilson receiving an early yellow card for Cliftonville.
The defeat is part of a concerning pattern, with recent losses to Coleraine, Ballymena United, Limavady United and Glentoran preceding this result. The team's recent form shows zero wins and five defeats from their last five outings, a sequence that began with a 2-0 loss to Larne on 15 September. Across the season, they have scored 13 goals but conceded 15, leaving them with a negative goal difference of minus two.
Attention now turns to a key away fixture against Dungannon Swifts next Friday. Dungannon currently sit one place above Cliftonville in eighth, making it a significant opportunity to halt the slide. The match on Saturday 24 October is a chance to close the gap on their direct rivals. Fans can view the full fixtures list for the rest of the campaign.
