All photographs on this page are © by Drew McWilliams, permission granted to glenavonfc.com

Ken Ginnett keeps Conor Walsh and Conor Downey apart just before the dismissal of Atiba Charles

Glenavon had the better of the early exchanges with Neil Gawley's shot spilled by Connolly before Nathan McConnell was flagged offside as he tried to get a toe to the loose ball. Barry Johnston then cracked a 25 yard shot off Rice's crossbar.

Twenty minutes in saw the first major talking point with Atiba Charles being shown a red card by Referee Ken Ginnett who consulted both assistants before giving the big Trinidadian defender his marching orders for an off the ball incident with Davy McAlinden. Glenavon Assistant Manager Neil Carson was also dismissed for protesting the decision.

Atiba Charles was sent off in the 21st minute

Davy Hawthorne's low 18 yard shot was held by Connolly then, just before the interval, Ronan Scannell's 35 yard shot nearly caught Rice out as it almost bounced over him at the foot of his post but he managed to push it round for a corner.

Gerard McMahon had limped off at half time and he did not reappear for the second half, his place being taken by Stephen McAlorum. Ten minutes into the second half Adrian Harper evaded two challenges and burst into the box and fired a low shot across Connolly who held it at the second attempt.

Paul Rice saved a penalty and made a couple of other good saves

In the 63rd minute McAlinden played a good through ball for Ronan Scanell and he went down just inside the box as Conor McAnallen tackled him. With the Reds' regular penalty taker Mark Holland out injured, skipper Liam Fleming took on the job only to see his spot kick brilliantly saved by Rice, diving away to his left. Immediately after this Fleming picked up a second yellow to add to a 54th minute caution for dissent and both sides finished the game with ten men.

Conor Downey and Adrian Harper

Cliftonville piled on a lot of pressure but Glenavon looked dangerous on the break. Ross Black watched his 35 yard pile driver curl just wide of the far post and McConnell had a shot saved. Chris Scannell's 72nd minute header flashed across goal from his brother's free kick and minutes later Kennedy had a shot deflected onto the bar by a great block by McDonnell, with Scannell firing the rebound into the side netting. Rice was in action again in the 79th minute as he dived to his right to push McAlinden's overhead kick onto the post.

Gavin McDonnell clears the danger as Davy McAlinden looks to pounce

McAlorum broke down the left with Havern and Harper in support but he was slow to react to Havern's return ball and it was cleared for a throw in near the corner flag. Quick thinking by Black released McAlorum in the box and his touch set up a difficult chance for Harper from a narrow angle with his shot looping across the face of the goal. In the final minute Declan O'Hara launched a spectacular long range shot that crashed off the bar and away to safety.