Linfield scrapped through to the quarter-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup, with a nervy scoreless draw against a lively Newry City.

It was John McDonnell’s men who had the better of the chances and will feel disappointed at not having taken at least one of them that would have sent them through instead.

David Jeffrey made one change to the team that demolished City 6-0 at that weekend and that was an enforced one, with Conor Hagan filling in for the injured Damian Curran at left-back.

The Blues had the first chance of the match with only three minutes on the clock. Michael Carvill whipped in a corner from the left and Paul Munster was left unmarked six yards out, but his header was excellently saved by Newry goalkeeper Neil Gallagher before Steven Douglas put the rebound wide under pressure from Davy Munster.

City looked to be a more potent attacking threat than on Saturday and on their first real attack came controversy. Alan Davidson burst clear of the home defence and just as he was approaching the penalty area he appeared to be tripped by Jamie Mulgrew, but referee Arnold Hunter waived away frantic City appeals.

City had a glorious chance to break the deadlock just before the half hour as Andy Graham broke free on the right to surge into the box and slid the ball to Morgan, but he couldn’t control when clear on goal.

Linfield then spurned a gilt edged chance of their own. Hagan drove the ball back across the penalty area and the unmarked Michael Gault could only fire his shot over the bar from 12 yards.

Newry grew in confidence and on 36 minutes Davy Munster glanced a header wide from Niall Henderson’s corner before his cousin, Linfield’s Paul, did likewise 60 seconds later.

A minute before the break Newry were nearly the architects of their own downfall. Cullen Feeney and goalkeeper Gallagher appeared to leave a harmless looking ball for each other, allowing Gault to steal in and his shot from an acute angle came back off the post.

Newry should have gone in front just before the hour mark.

Ross Black’s long throw caused confusion in the Linfield goalmouth and the ball fell to Davidson eight yards out, but he sliced his effort wildly over the bar.

Davidson missed Newry’s best chance of the night on 76 minutes. Excellent hold-up play by Morgan saw him lay the ball off to Henderson midway inside the Linfield half. He played in Davidson, who turned Douglas inside the box, but his left foot shot from 15 yards was straight at Addis.

LINFIELD: Addis, Ervin, Hagan, Douglas, Lindsay, Burns, Mulgrew, Gault, Carvill, P Munster, Allen. Subs: Bailie, Garrett, Tomelty, Miskimmin, Murphy.

NEWRY CITY: Gallagher, Feeney, D Munster, King, Henderson, Davidson, Black, Morgan, McDonnell, Friars, Graham. Subs: Hillen, Hazley, Adamczyk, Cassidy, Black.

Referee: Arnold Hunter (Fivemiletown).