Smith struck on 59 minutes when he finished off a Ryan Moffatt ball to tap past David Miskelly into the empty net.

The Ports might have led at the break, however, had Andrew Sproule been on target with a low drive which went narrowly wide while, for the Villagers, Moffatt headed just over from a Brian Adair cross.

The sides traded chances in the early moments of the second half with Andy Smith - on his first appearance of the season - failing to head on target followed by a Willie Herron nod which rose just a little wide.

However, the issue was settled soon after when Dean Smith grabbed the only goal and whilst the Ports attempted a 70th minute response via Sproule and Andy Smith and then, later, through Richard Leckey there was no way back for Ronnie McFall's side.