IRISH LEAGUE: Pat McGibbon hoping lady luck is on Portadown's side as they seek Premiership points

The Ports sit ninth in the Danske Bank Premiership – just five points off basement team Warrenpoint Town.

They have three games remaining to earn the required points to preserve their top flight status, starting with Tuesday night’s trip to 11th-placed Carrick Rangers.

It is the latest acid test for interim boss McGibbon, who has claimed just one point from a possible 18 since stepping into the breach following Ronnie McFall’s departure from Shamrock Park.

“I wouldn’t say a win is beyond this group of players, but it will take a piece of luck or a scrappy goal to get that win,” McGibbon said.

“Teams with confidence and swagger will go and win games comfortably. We don’t have that at the minute.

“We need a scrappy win and hold out for the points.

“You can only say it is bad luck for a certain length of time, but then you might have to admit we just aren’t good enough.

“It is the same for the teams below us. They are lacking confidence, but the difference is their players are used to scrapping for points. They are used to battling and having a dogfight. Portadown Football Club and these players are not used to that.

“There is a group of players in there who will fight to the end, but we need all of them going out there and giving it their all.

“We would take anything at the minute that would give us a win.”