Declan O’Brien comes in for the suspended Eoin Bradley and Rhys Marshall, Andy Kilmartin, Ciaran Martyn and Kevin Braniff all passed fitness tests but Daniel Kearns is out after failing to overcome a knock picked up in training.

After the game Gary Hamilton and his players were disappointed not to have taken all three points but the draw did see them move up into third place on goal difference above Cliftonville who lost at home to Coleraine. The Reds do have a game in hand however.

After the full-time whistle Gary summed up the game with Gary Ellis of the Lurgan Mail.

Aaron Burns put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot in the 37th minute after Conor Dillon was adjudged to have handled a shot from Reece Glendinning. It was probably just inside the box as the ball struck Dillon’s arm but could he have got his arm out of the way?

Jamie Callacher had seen a 12th minute 20 yard drive crash off the bar and the ex-Glens defender was busy at the other end, clearing the danger after Ross Glendinning had spilled an Andy Hall shot in the 27th minute. O’Brien had also forced a save in the 21st minute with Matthew Clarke clearing before Hall could get onto the rebound.

Linfield keeper Ross Glendinning was sent off in the 55th minute when he brought down O’Brien in the box but ex-Glenavon defender Mark Haughey donned the keeper’s jersey and saved Kevin Braniff’s penalty.

Ross Glendinning brings down Declan O’Brien and concedes a penalty. Photo by Alan Weir.

The Linfield keeper is shown the red card by Referee Raymond Crangle. Photo by Alan Weir.

The makeshift keeper couldn’t save Glenavon’s second penalty, awarded for a handball when Joel Cooper’s shot struck an arm. Andy McGrory smashed the spot kick high into the net to make it all square after 80 minutes.

Mark Haughey can only watch as Andy McGrory’s penalty hits the back of the net. Photo by Alan Weir.

McGrory celebrates after scoring his spot kick to make it 1-1. Photo by Alan Weir.

Glenavon piled on the pressure but couldn’t find a way through, Mark Patton missing a good chance late on and some last-ditch defending denying O’Brien. Haugjhey also turned Hall’s header round the post from Hamilton’s free kick.

Joel Cooper’s shot is blocked by Reece Glendinning. Photo by Alan Weir.

Waterworth could have won it five minutes from time but he headed over from six yards and in stoppage time Glenavon had to survive a scare as the ball bobbled around in the six yard area.

Linfield: Ross Glendinning, Haughey, Callacher, Reece Glendinning, Clarke Mulgrew, Ward, Burns, Gaynor, Waterworth, Bates. Subs: McLellan, Millar, Kee (Gaynor 85), Fallon, Smyth (Bates 59)

Cautions: Bates 43, Ro. Glendinning s/o 55

Glenavon: Tuffey, McGrory, Kelly, Dillon, Marshall, Hall, Kilmartin, Martyn, Cooper, O’Brien, Braniff. Subs: Lindsay, Patton (Cooper 83), Sykes (Kilmartin 61), Hamilton (Braniff 74), Elebert

Cautions: Dillon 36, Kilmartin 42, O’Brien 63, Marshall 67, Sykes 81

Referee: Raymond Crangle