Friars' speculative effort clipped the angle of the post and bar in the ninth minute as Newry started brightly.

BBC: Cliftonville 2-0 Newry City

But the visitors really should have been level before the hour when Blackman's cross found Danny Kedwell, only for the Dons' top-scorer to side foot over the bar from the angle of the six-yard box.

BBC: Sammy Moore

Liverpool briefly threatened when Torres fired over the bar from an acute angle and Chelsea suffered a blow when captain John Terry received a yellow card for a late challenge on Reina, meaning he will be suspended for the second leg at Stamford Bridge next week.

CNN: Chelsea fight back for crucial away victory