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

A superbly struck third minute goal by Conor Walsh saw Glenavon take a lead that lasted until ten minutes from time when Mark McAllister popped up at the back post to head home a deserved equaliser for the home side. The Swifts, whose passing had let them down in the first half, dominated possession in the second and hit the woodwork twice.

The game started with Swifts on the attack, winning a succession of corners but, in Glenavon's first real attack, Walsh flicked the ball over McCabe's head with his right foot before connecting with a superb left foot half-volley that beat Nelson all ends up. Gawley's well-struck shot was saved by Nelson minutes later before Walsh was forced to retire with a thigh strain. His replacement was new signing Ian Wallace who joined fellow debutant, striker Stephen Magenniss, who Colin Malone had given a starting place up front alongside Nathan McConnell in a 4-4-2 formation, with Atiba Charles at right back.

The Glenavon manager was dealt another blow within minutes when Marty Hunter had to come off suffering from concussion after he had sustained a blow to the back of the head in the first few minutes. This time it was another debutant, Barry Meehan who replaced Hunter with Charles moving to centre back and Wallace to right back in another reshuffle in the defence.

Rod McAree struck a free kick just wide in the 26th minute and McCabe had a low shot that was held comfortably by Rice in the 41st minute. Two minutes from the interval Harper won the ball in the Swifts' box but McConnell missed his kick as the loose ball spun towards him.

In the second half Harry Fay brought on experience in the form of Rory Hamill for Burns and the former Glentoran man made an instant impact. His 61st minute low cross flew right across the six yard area with no-one getting a touch and Rice dealt well with his shot from the right side of the box on 72 minutes.

It was a tense final ten minutes for Manager Colin Malone

In the 80th minute Glenavon failed to clear a right wing corner and the ball was crossed back in from the left by Niall McGinn for McAllister to nod in at the back post to draw his side back on level terms. The last ten minutes was frantic with the home side twice hitting the post, with Scullion's right foot shot and a flick header in a crowded box also hitting the upright. Ross Black also had to hack the ball clear after a deflection off McDonnell had wrong-footed Rice.