Glenavon host Coleraine tomorrow at Mourneview Park looking to get back on track after a heart-breaking loss to Linfield last week.
After a screamer from Micheal Glynn had given Glenavon the lead, a Daniel Finlayson equaliser and a late goal from Robbie McDaid gave the champions all three points.
Despite a valiant effort, the defeat brought a run of three wins on the bounce to an end.
“It’s gutting, because we worked so hard,” Gary Hamilton said after the game.
“I told the players after the game that they had worked really hard on Saturday and across the week, but I thought we started to look a wee bit tired in the last 10-15 minutes. They were bringing on quality players off the bench too, so it was hard for us.
“That’s twice we have gone to Windsor Park and it’s really disappointing that we’ve come away with nothing out of both games, because we certainly deserved something.”
The Lurgan Blues can go into the game against the Bannsiders able to take confidence from their previous meeting, which ended in a 3-1 win during a trip to the Showgrounds.
However, Gary won’t be underestimating Oran Kearney’s side.
“We saw last week in their game against Glentoran that they’re full of energy. They have a lot of high energy in their team and good players as well,” he added.
“So it’s going to be a difficult game as well, we know that for sure, but if we play the way we’ve been playing recently we’re going to be a difficult team to play against.”
Glenavon will be boosted by the return of striker Matthew Fitzpatrick, who was out for 10 days due to concussion, while Calum Birney is once again available for selection.
LAST TIME OUT: Gary Hamilton’s men were dominant from the off in a 3-1 win and took an early lead through Peter Campbell.
Matthew Shevlin levelled from the spot before the break but second-half goals from Robbie Garrett and Matthew Fitzpatrick secured a first win of the season for Glenavon.
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE: Raymond Crangle
ASSISTANT REFEREE: David Burns, Victoria Finlay
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Michael McKenna
SPONSORS
MATCH SPONSORS: SM Vint & Co. Banbridge
BALL SPONSORS: Gordon Gough
MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSOR: Jonathan Burns
Please note that a bucket collection will take place in aid of Aspire NI. Aspire NI works in primary and secondary schools across Lurgan, Portadown and Craigavon providing free academic support for children from low-income families. They run homework clubs in 14 schools in the greater Craigavon area.
Aspire also runs a skills academy teaching skills in art, barista training, business and wellbeing and a cross community camp programme for the young people every summer.
Everything Aspire provides is free of charge so it is of no cost to the families.