Three changes for Glenavon from Wednesday night’s 3-3 draw at Ballymena: dropping to the bench are Mark Sykes, Kris Lindsay and Mark Patton; coming in to the starting line-up are Ciaran Martyn, Andrew Doyle and Andy McGrory. Rhys Marshall has started at left back with McGrory at right back.

Jay Donnelly put the visitors ahead after 18 minutes, against the run of play after an excellent start by Glenavon. Ryan Catney headed a clearance back into the box, Chris Curran stepped over it and Jay Donnelly lashed the ball past Jonny Tuffey from 8 yards.

Five minutes earlier Glenavon had had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Greg Moorhouse seemed to have been dragged down by Chris Ramsey. He had been played in by a ball over the top by Joel Cooper and had got ahead of the Reds defender and was about to shoot.

Photo by Brian Bain

Joel Cooper equalised with a left foot effort in first half stoppage time after he latched onto a deflected shot by Moorhouse who had picked up a pass from Cooper just outside the area and turned onto his right foot to fire from 18 yards.

Photo by Brian Bain

On 67 minutes a nutmeg by McGrory release Bates and his cross was glanced on at the near post by Martyn and Cooper met the ball well with a decent header that had Mooney diving to his right to save. Moments later Reds centre back Chris Ramsey pulled up clutching his right hamstring and had to be replaced by Jamie McGovern.

Red Card: Reds captain Jason McGuinness was sent off in the 69th minute after seeing a second yellow in ten minutes, both for fouls on Moorhouse.

Photo by Brian Bain

Two minutes later Guy bates drew an excellent save from Mooney with a glancing header from a cross by Andy Hall.

Glenavon piled on the pressure against the ten men but a quick break by the Reds allowed Jude Winchester to slip the ball out to Jay Donnelly and he seemed to get a fortunate break of the ball off Andy Doyle and a slip by Kris Lindsay that allowed him a clear sight of goal and he made no mistake.

Jay Donnelly tackles Andy McGrory. Photo by Brian Bain

Glenavon substitute Lindsay nodded the ball home from close range in the 88th minute after Jason Mooney lost the ball after he had seemed to be in control of Doyle’s high ball towards the far post.

In the second minute of stoppage time Moorhose grabbed the winner and what a winner it was. A throw in on the right near the corner flag was crossed in by Mark Sykes and the striker planted a fabulous header beyond the reach of the Reds’ giant keeper.

Photo by Brian Bain

Glenavon: Tuffey, Kilmartin, Marshall, Cooper, Hall, Doyle, McGrory, Moorhouse, Martyn, Elebert, Bates subs Hamilton (replaced Bates 71), Lindsay (replaced Elebert 71), Patton (not used), Sykes (replaced Hall 79), Marron (not used)

Cliftonville: J. Mooney, Ives, Ramsey, McGuinness, Curran, M. Donnelly, Hughes, Catney, Winchester, J. Donnelly, Cosgrove subs McGovern (replaced Ramsey 60), Bonner (replaced Hughes 61), McDaid (not used), Garrett (replaced M. Donnelly 65), D. Murray (not used)

Referee: Andrew Davey