Theatre of tears at Mourneview Park

Glenavon were only five minutes away from winning the Irish League Championship for the first time in 34 years but in the twinkling of an eye it was all gone.

The Lurgan Blues had gone into a 2-0 lead against Portadown in the final game of the season thanks to goals from Stephen McBride and Ray McCoy. But they were denied by goals from Robert Casey and Sandy Fraser as the match finished 2-2.

Glenavon manager Alan Fraser described it as the worst moment in his 25 years of football.

“I feel for the players,” he said. “They gave it everything they had and were absolutely gutted.”

One supporter said: “A word of congratulations to Glenavon for their excellent staging and organisation of such a big game and a big thank you to the staff and players at Glenavon for the immense pleasure and enjoyment they have given me and all the other supporters over the entire season. You did us proud.”