Blues earn point at Oval

It was the first goalless game for the Lurgan Blue since January 2010, but it is a welcome point for Gary Hamilton’s men.

Glenavon almost grabbed an opener on 12 minutes when Gareth McKeown’s throw in was punched clear by goalkeeper Elliott Morris to the feet of Guy Bates but his shot was blocked.

Jordan Stewart’s measured pass then sent former Glenavon striker Mark Miskimmin hurtling into the box on 34 minutes and after the striker went down under a challenge from McKeown inside the box referee Raymond Crangle waved play on.

It was no surprise that Stewart that carved out the first opening after the break, threading the ball through to substitute David Scullion, but his shot was superbly beaten away by John Connolly.

With the clock ticking down, Stewart almost won it for the home side on 82 minutes. Scullion was forced wide after rounding Connolly, but when he cut the ball back to the little Under-19 international, his shot crashed off the base of the post.

On 87 minutes Gareth McKeown’s cross was flicked goalwards by Rhys Marshall but it deflected out for a corner off the head of Jordan Stewart.

In the final minute Shane McCabe’s pass released Gary Hamilton, who came on for Bates, but his early shot was saved by Elliott Morris.

Glentoran: Morris (c), O’Neill, Hill, Birney, Miskimmin, Kane, Magee, Addis, Clarke, Stewart, O’Hanlon. Subs: Bradley, Scullion, Henderson, McGuigan, Hogg

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

Referee: Raymond Crangle