McCann off in White heat

Both sides are still in a good position to qualify for the quarter-finals after this fiery encounter at Solitude.

Eddie Patterson is still unbeaten as Reds caretaker manager, but will be disappointed that his side could not capitalise on the sending-off of Lisburn Distillery's Ryan McCann in the 56th minute.

Cliftonville began the game without former Whites' striker Mark Holland while Paul Kirk dropped both Andy Kilmartin and John Martin after their shock 2-0 defeat on Saturday against Larne.

The home side made all the early running - Sean Friars dragging a shot wide in the first minute. Then he found Nathan McConnell from a free-kick, but the striker's first-time volley whistled over the bar.

But Murphy was not to be denied in the 33rd minute. The diminutive winger turned sharply in the box, only to see Straney superbly save his initial shot. However, Murphy headed the rebound into the empty net.

Back came the Reds and they equalised on the stroke of half-time - defender Keith Mulvenna blasting home from 15 yards.

After a quiet start to the second-half, the game erupted into life in the 53rd minute when Conor Hagan's tackle on ex-teammate Conor Downey sparked a melee.

Remarkably, these two players were not even cautioned, yet Lisburn Distillery's McCann was red- carded by referee Alan Black while Reds' Declan O'Hara received a caution.