Glenavon lost the first competitive game of the season in this Group 2 CIS Insurance Cup match against Newry City at The Marshes but were unlucky not to get something from the match.

City striker Damien Whitehead spurned a great chance to put the hosts ahead in the 8th minute when he glanced Barry Curran's right wing cross just wide when a slightly more decisive touch would surely have found the net. Glenavon debutant Shea Campbell did have the ball in the net in the 14th minute when he headed in Paul Evans free kick only to have his  effort disallowed for offside. The ex-Linfield striker scuffed a shot straight to Robinson after good work by Walsh on the half hour mark and his curled shot from 25 yards just missed the far post seven minutes later.

Evans had created a good chance in the 41st minute for the visitors when he dispossessed Ross McLaughlin on the half-way line, raced into the Newry penalty area and turned inside Paddy McLaughlin but his weak shot was straight at Robinson with Farrell standing unmarked on the other side of the area, ready for what would have been a tap in had Evans squared the ball to him.

Three minutes later Barry Curran had a simple tap in to give his side the lead when Marty McCann won a header and his flick on fell nicely for Damien Whitehead. With Black losing his footing and allowing him in, Whitehead was fortunate when his miscued shot went across the box and landed at the unmarked Curran's feet, leaving him an easy finish.

In the second half Glenavon pressed hard and Evans went close with a shot when he broke into the box just after half time. Walsh's header brought a good save on the line from Robinson as he rose to meet Evans' corner but Whitehead should have sealed the win for the home side ten minutes from time when he somehow contrived to put a header wide from inside the six yard area with the goal at his mercy.

Campbell was unlucky minutes later when Robinson made a good save with his legs to deny him an equaliser. In injury time Verner got his head to a dangerous  free kick but the ball was safely gathered by the keeper with McVeigh almost getting a vital touch from close range.