Following a mellow draw away from home to derby rivals Portadown, Glenavon get set to face Loughgall in the second round of the BetMcLean League Cup.

The Championship league leaders make the trip to face Glenavon unbeaten so far in their first eight games of the season, winning seven of their games.

Reflecting on Saturday’s draw, manager Gary Hamilton tried to some positives away from the game.

“We had a decent crowd at Shamrock Park as well and the boys haven’t put in a performance,” he said.

“The biggest disappointment was that we lacked fight in the first-half, maybe not so much in the second-half as Conor Scannell came on and livened things up for us.

“He was playing with hunger, desire, picking up second balls and gave us energy.

“Skinner came on in the last 15 or 20 minutes and made things awkward for their centre-halves by holding the ball up.

“I thought we were slightly better in the second-half and near the end we had a couple of chances.

“On performance last Saturday, we would have stolen the three points if that was the case.

“The only positive we can take is that we have come out with a point but that’s not what we were looking for.”

Speaking about the League Cup game, Gary added, “We certainly need more hunger and desire.

“They’ll be up for it, they are a league below us so it’s a Cup final for them.

“We know they’re a good side and I remember one year they knocked us out of the Irish Cup.

“Dean’s got a good side built down there, it won’t be an easy game and we need to get out and show a bit more spirit, fight and desire.

“That’s what we’ll be asking for and hopefully we can get it.”

Tonight’s game will be pay at the gate, £10/£5.

MATCH SPONSORS

Match Sponsor: John Mairs

Ball Sponsor: The Aiken Family in Memory of Henry Aiken

Man of the Match: Kyle Savage

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Ross Dunlop

Assistant referees: David Burns, Justin Maxwell

Fourth Official: Louise Thompson