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

Glenavon came from behind to earn the first point of the Carnegie Premier League campaign with this 1-1 draw at Mourneview Park.

The Glenavon line-up showed some changes from the side that lost four-nil last week: Atiba Charles was back from International duty and, with Gavin McDonnell suspended, Conor McAnallen got a rare start at right back, Ross Black and Nathan McConnell dropping to the bench. Davy Hawthorne was missing from the starting line-up for the first time this season with Paul Walsh coming in on the left flank and Marty Hunter moving infield. The Captain's armband also appears to have returned to Gerard McMahon; whether this is a permanent move remains to be seen.

After dominating the early exchanges with Marty Hunter flashing a near post header just wide, Glenavon were rocked by a ninth minute goal from Colm Kearney. He smashed a shot past Rice from 14 yards after Bertie Fulton miss-kicked and the ball spun fortuitously to the big striker. Larne then went on to create the best chances of the first half but were unable to extend the lead. McMahon had Glenavon's best chance of the half when McVeigh found him with a cross but he did not get a good contact with his attempted strike from 12 yards.

Paul Rice saves a shot from Colm Kearney

Larne centre back Paul Hamilton was guilty of a bad miss after 24 minutes when he sliced well wide from a good position after Hamlin flicked on Mullen's cross. Sixty seconds later Paul Walsh's free kick flashed right across the Larne goal area with Aaron Black just failing to get a touch at the back post.

Seven minutes from the break saw a moment of farce after Marty Hunter picked up what looked like a nasty injury in a block tackle as he got off a shot on the edge of the Larne box. As he was carried off he fell off the stretcher and once he got to the touchline it appeared as though he wanted to come back on but Ross Black had already substituted for him. in the re-shuffle Brian Mallon moved into central midfield with the younger Black slotting in at left back.

Ward and Fulton conspired to get in each others way just before half time as Larne carved out another presentable chance.

Aaron Black congratulates Paul McKnight on scoring the equaliser

Paul McKnight equalised five minutes into the second half with a superb lob over the advancing keeper after a through ball over the top caught the Larne defence square. On the hour Conor Walsh headed down Paul Walsh's corner and Aidan McVeigh got the faintest of touches but was unable to divert it past Keenan. This was followed by muted penalty appeals after McVeigh went down in the box as he ran onto a through ball from Paul Walsh. After Montgomery sent a 30 yard dipper just over Rice's bar the two Walsh's combined with the elder playing a delightful through ball for his young partner. Unfortunately his inexperience showed when he opted for a hopeful shot that comfortably cleared the bar instead of picking out either McKnight or McVeigh who were well placed in the middle.

Paul McKnight

Aaron Black then put Paul McKnight away but play was pulled up by a very late and debatable offside flag. In contrast Hamlin seemed well offside in the 75th minute but this time there was no flag as he broke down the right wing and the Glenavon defenders were fortunate that his shot failed to trouble Rice as they struggled to get back and block him.

Five minutes from time Munster was yellow carded for tripping Gawley and from McMahon's free kick across the box Atiba Charles failed to direct a free header goal wards. He did better seconds later as he got his head to a high ball before the keeper who had come well off his line and he was grateful to his defence as the ball was cleared off the line.

Both sides had chances to grab all three points in injury time with first Nathan McConnell putting a header onto the roof of the net after Aaron Black had headed McMahon's corner back across goal then, from the resulting goal kick, Lewis Hamlin received the ball, turned inside onto his left foot and sent a low shot only inches wide with Rice looking well beaten.