Glenavon opened the scoring through Stephen McAlorum, in for the injured Johnny Topley. The opener came in the 7th minute when McCloskey back heeled a throw in and McAlorum smashed the ball past the keeper. In the 22nd minute McCloskey's mazy run into the box was brought to a halt when he was tripped by Scannell. In the absence of Topley, the regular penalty taker, Lee Feeney blasted the spot kick over the bar. Instead of moving into a comfortable lead, Glenavon were almost hauled back to level terms three minutes later when Paddy Molloy's left foot shot was turned around the post by a good save from McDonald. Longstaff then made a good run down the left and slipped the ball into the box for Hynes and McDonald had to come off his line to dispossess him.

Just before the interval McAlorum won the ball in midfield and slipped it to Walsh. He sent in a good centre from the right that was cleared for a corner. Walsh cut the ball back to McCloskey and he and Feeney exchanged passes twice, with neither player seeming to want to have a shot. When Feeney did eventually shoot it was easily saved by the keeper.

Five minutes into the second half Walsh doubled the lead when he spotted the keeper off his line and smashed a shot over his head from wide on the right. Feeney then made a good run through the centre but his indecision in the box allowed the defender to get in a clearing tackle. McAlorum then fired just over after he burst through the middle.

In the 56th minute the home keeper just got to a through ball before Walsh and his clearance ran through to the United number 12. His near post cross landed at the feet of Hynes but he sliced his effort horribly wide. With 20 minutes remaining Walsh's cross was deflected onto the outside of his own post by Scannell and four minutes later McCloskey scored the third when he controlled McShane's cross and calmly slipped the ball under the keeper from around the penalty spot. Feeney was unlucky in the 82nd minute when his dipping shot was headed for the net but was cleared off the line and then he set up a good chance for Gawley but the young substitute rushed his shot and the keeper gathered the ball easily.

In the final minute McDonald had to make another decent save when he dived low to his right to deny a well struck shot from McGlinchy.

Neil Gawley 'can't see his hand in front of his face'

Ah good, the floodlights have been turned on