Visitors Carrick Rangers with the first effort on goal.

Adam Lecky holds the ball up long enough for midfielder Matthew Snoddy to get up in support of the big striker.

The ball is rolled perfectly into the one-time Coleraine man's path, but his effort is well held by Coleraine keeper Aidan Harris.

Jack Malone finds time and space to let fly from 20 yards, but his effort is straight down the middle, and Patrick Solis Grogan gathers comfortably.

Liam Beckett
Sportsound summariser

In terms of creativity and as a goal threat, Rory Hale is a big miss for Cliftonville.

On his day, I rate him the best central midfield player in local football.

Closest chance of the game so far. Crusaders starlet Josh Williamson carries the ball across the edge of the area before offloading with his right foot. The ball clips the top of the crossbar as it goes behind for a goal-kick.

Crues building some pressure.

Very little to report since the opener, with neither side managing a shot on target. The game has slipped into a scrappy rhythm, and both goalkeepers remain untested.

Coleraine captain Lyndon Kane, overlapping on the right wing, whips a cross to the back post where Luke McCullough is positioned perfectly to head clear.

Curtis Allen
Former Glentoran and Carrick Rangers striker on BBC Sounds

Ballymena haven't started at all and Dungannon have had most of the possession and are controlling the game.

First attacking threat from Crusaders.

Kurtis Forsythe attacks brilliantly down the right before zipping a low cross across goal. However, keeper Aaron McCarey is alert to the danger and palms the cross away from danger.

Even game so far.

The home side dominating the opening stages but Carrick Rangers looking threatening on the counter attack.

Nothing by way of goalmouth action so far, but David Fisher does well to win a corner that is flicked on at the near post by James Singleton.

Hopeful claims of handball are waved away as Conor Falls clears.

Ballymena make heavy weather of clearing a corner and Andy Mitchell flashes a shot not far wide of the target for the visitors.

This is a second meeting of the two teams at the Showgrounds this season, the home side winning 2-1 here back in September.

A similar result would see Coleraine regain top spot over Larne, who could only draw 0-0 with Linfield last night.

An early chance for the hosts as Lewis McGregor flashes a right foot shot wide of the post from distance.

Corey Smith skips past Patrick Solis Grogan with a clever touch inside the area, but just as he shapes to pull the trigger, Reece Neale races back to hook the ball to safety.

Strong recovery from the Seasiders defender.

Reece Neale launches a long throw into the box, aiming for Ben Arthurs.

Expect that to be a theme this afternoon, but on this occasion, the Lurgan Blues deal with it as Paul McGovern heads clear.

Eamon Fyfe of Portadown has the first attempt towards goal after only 30 seconds.

The forward swinging in a curling effort from 25 yards with his right foot, but it sails just over Jonny Tuffey's crossbar.

Liam Burt's early cross from the left is nodded back across goal by David Fisher but Pat Hoban is beaten to it by PJ Morrison.

Matthew Snoddy gets us under way on a dry, crisp afternoon on the north coast.

Portadown get the ball rolling at a damp but still Seaview.

The last four games between these sides have produced a total of 12 goals. Let's hope that strike rate continues today.