Luke Turner’s first ever league goal for Cliftonville helped the Reds close the gap on the league leaders at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.
The teenager, on a season-long loan from Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen, won it just before the break when he forced the ball home from close range.
Ryan Curran’s header crashed back off the bar and the 19-year-old, whose only previous goal was in last month’s Irish Cup win over Islandmagee, pounced to secure a crucial win.
With 10 games left in the title race, the Reds are just a point behind joint leaders Linfield and Glentoran, with the Blues on top on goal difference.
Warrenpoint had teenager goalkeeper Stephen McMullan to thank for keeping the scoreline at 1-0, the 17-year-old producing a string of saves in either half.
But Cliftonville, who have now won 12 of their 15 home league games this season, sealed the points when Turner bundled the ball home in the 43rd minute.
The impressive Jamie McDonagh floated a cross into the area, Curran’s header crashed back off the bar and Turner was on hand to force the ball home from point blank range.
It was no more than the Reds deserved after in-form winger McDonagh had also rattled the woodwork on the half hour mark.
The January player of the month skipped past two challenges and arrowed a dipper towards goal, only for the ball to cannon back off the bar.
McDonagh also forced a smothered save from Town keeper McMullan and directed a Daniel Kearns cross narrowly wide early doors.
Turner, who joined the Reds on loan in the summer, had seen a 28th minute header ruled out for offside while McMullan had to be alert to smother a Ronan Doherty drive.
McDonagh almost extended Cliftonville's lead at the start of the second period when he was released by Rory Hale, but the winger’s angled shot was batted away by the keeper.
Joe Gormley, a replacement for Hale, also stung McMullan’s hands with an angled shot soon after as the Reds chased an insurance goal.
It should have come in the 76th minute when McDonagh crossed for the unmarked Gormley, but the substitute’s header was straight at the keeper.
McMullan also both Jonny Addis and Chris Curran with impressive saves at the death as Cliftonville eased to a one goal victory.
Defeat leaves Warrenpoint rooted to the bottom of the table, two points below Portadown who face Town at Shamrock Park on Saturday.
