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The breakthrough came mid-way through the first half when Neale Fenn played in John O'Flynn and the ex-Peterborough United and Irish U-21 star netted with a low drive, despite calls for offside from the home crowd.
Ports' keeper David Miskelly got a touch but he was unable to keep the ball out of the net.
Henry McStay had a looping header go just wide for the home team and then Miskelly saved well from Roy O'Donovan before the home team equalised in added time in the first half.
Midfielder Richard Clarke crossed to the far post and ex-Derry City man, and now Ports' skipper, Darren Kelly scored with a header that dipped in under the not-fully-fit Cork 'keeper Mick Devine.
Devine passed a late fitness test to play after he damaged his medial knee ligament up in Galway a week ago but he was clearly restricted with full-back Danny Murphy taking the goal-kicks for him.
Both teams had players suspended with Ports' top scorer Gary Hamilton and City reserve 'keeper Mark McNulty ruled out of the action having been red carded in the corresponding fixture in Cork last year.
George O'Callaghan fired into the side-netting and Danny Murphy had a goalbound shot deflected away from goal before Devine saved well from Clarke after Wesley Boyle's drag-back with ten minutes to go, but it ended 1-1, the same as last year's result.
Portadown: Miskelly; McStay, O'Hara, Clarke, Convery, Kelly, Boyle, Collins, McCann, Neill, Marks.
Sub. Craig for McStay (injured 60 mins),
Cork City: Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray (capt), Murphy; Gamble, O'Brien, O'Callaghan, O'Donovan; Fenn, O'Flynn.