Agony for Glenavon at Coleraine

A late goal denied them against Ballinamallard and on Saturday it was a late goal that denied them at Coleraine.

It was a bitter blow to take nothing from The Showgrounds after Glenavon put in such a positive display for long periods.

Stephen Carson was the man who drove home the telling blow in added time to seal a 3-2 win for the home side, but the Lurgan Blues should take heart from their performance on a miserable day.

Gareth Tommonsgave Coleraine the lead on 24 minutes after he rounded keeper John Connolly before slotting in the opener.

Glenavon replied with Andy McGrory forcing Wayne Drummond to make a fine save while David Rainey headed over from a Kyle Neill cross just before the break.

The Lurgan Blues improved in the second half and Ciaran Martyn levelled on 74 minutes with a close range finish after being set up by substitute Mark Patton.

A sweeping move involving Patton, Gareth McKeown and Gary Hamilton helped put the visitors ahead five minutes later which ended with Martyn getting the final touch to make it 2-1.

With Glenavon in control, the game turned when keeper Connolly mis-kicked an attempted clearance and Browne crossed for Bradley to level.

Glenavon still looked the team most likely to grab the winner with Guy Bates out of luck as his effort was brilliantly saved.

Then right at the end Carson popped up to deliver the sucker punch.

Coleraine: Drummond, Beverland (c), McIlmoyle, Hegarty, Douglas, Browne, Carson, Canning, E Bradley, Watt, Tommons. Subs: Ogilby, Owens, Jennings, J Bradley, McMullan

Glenavon: Connolly, McCallion (c), Murphy, McKeown, Marshall, Neill, Kilmartin, McCabe, McGrory, Bates, Rainey. Subs: Lindsay, Hamilton, Patton, McDaid, Martyn.