GLENAVON: Back on top thanks to late goals by Andy Hall and Ben Doherty against Newry City

Glenavon left it late in the weekend's late kick-off to secure the three points required to return to the top of the Danske Bank Premiership thanks to two goals inside four minutes.
Dylan King attacks a corner-kick delivery for Glenavon against Newry City AFC. Pic by Pacemaker.Dylan King attacks a corner-kick delivery for Glenavon against Newry City AFC. Pic by Pacemaker.
Dylan King attacks a corner-kick delivery for Glenavon against Newry City AFC. Pic by Pacemaker.

Andy Hall fired home at the second attempt on 79 against Newry City AFC during a frantic finale that included two Glenavon goals and a red card for the visitors’ Declan Carville.

Ben Doherty curled home directly off a corner-kick from the right side for a 2-0 advantage that extended newly-promoted Newry’s wait for an away return to seven league road trips.

Mark Sykes’ sparking start featured a looping shot off a Doherty pass which forced Thomas McCann to head clear as the ball drifted towards the gaping goalmouth.

Newry came close to breaking the deadlock around the half-hour mark when Andy Coleman’s free-kick punt dropped at the feet of Carville off a Jonny Tuffey punch under pressure from Mark McCabe and but visiting forward could only sidefoot wide.

Carville then produced a measured pass to find Stephen Teggart inside the box, with a superb challenge by Caolan Marron cutting out the threat.

Hughes proved on hand to deny Hall at the back post after a Josh Daniels cross was met by Murray but his header drifted across the face of goal.

Coleman pulled off a point-blank stop on 53 minutes to stop Glenavon gaining reward for early second-half pressure.

A fine run by Sykes was capped with a teasing cross which the unmarked Murray met from a few yards - only for Coleman to block off a fine reaction save.

Daniels’ shot then bounced off the post and Doherty met the rebound with a drive from distance which forced Coleman into another smart stop before the closing talking points.

GLENAVON: Tuffey, Marron, Daniels, Donnelly (Jenkins, 60), Muir (Harmon, 46), Sykes, Hall, King, Murray (McCloskey, 80), Doherty, Singleton.

Subs (not used): Doyle, Grace, Larmour, Hunter.

NEWRY CITY AFC: Coleman, King, Boyle, McCann, Walker, Carville, McCabe, Hughes, Lavery (Delaney, 70), Teggart (Johnston, 82), Montgomery.

Subs (not used): Maguire, McArdle, Mullan, Healey.

Referee: Jamie Robinson.