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The visitors created chance after chance but were undone by a combination of goalkeeper Paul Murphy's brilliance and poor finishing.
Early on James Keddy miskicked from a very good position and Paul Keegan's quick free found Glen Fitzpatrick who was denied by Murphy in the home goal.
Drogheda's dominance continued as Fitzpatrick twice more went close to opening his account on this full debut as he first headed wide and then drove into the side netting.
Keddy presented Fitzpatrick with another great chance on 28 minutes but the striker's shot on this occasion was deflected out for a corner.
Half an hour had passed before Portadown threatened when Richard Clarke advanced from half way and tested Dan Connor with a 25 yard effort.
Shane Barrett was next to test Murphy in the home goal before, right on half time, Barrett's cross found James Keddy who flashed his header narrowly wide.
Portadown improved in the second half and went close through Kyle Neill twice and John Convery who drove through a crowded goalmouth only to see Connor save his stinging effort.
Drogheda cut open the Portadown defence time after time but once again they just couldn't find the net.
Paul Keegan's header was cleared from the line by Darren Kelly with 71 minutes played and substitute Mark Leech twice missed gilt edged opportunities to seal victory for United.
With three minutes remaining he drove wide from 10 yards when it appeared easier to score and right on time he scuffed his effort from even closer as the Portadown goal lived a charmed life.
It would have been a real irony had Richard Clarke converted in injury time for the home side as the Ports almost snatched an unlikely win.
Teams:
Portadown; Murphy, Clarke, Convery, Kelly, Boyle, Collins (Hamilton 60), Liggett (Baker 84), Mc Ginn, Neill, Marks, Craig.
Drogheda; Connor, Lynch, Gray, Gavin, Gartland, Robinson (Whelan 89), Fitzpatrick (Leech 73), Keddy, Shelly, Keegan, Barrett.