Glenavon fight back to beat Reds

Glenavon's Greg Moorhouse celebrates scoring the winner against Cliftonville Credit: Presseye

Glenavon remain second in the Irish Premiership after they twice came from behind to earn a 3-2 win over Cliftonville in a thriller at Mourneview Park.

The Reds struck first when Jay Donnelly lashed a fierce drive past Jonathan Tuffey in the 18th minute.

But the Lurgan Blues hit back when Joel Cooper squeezed the ball under Jason Mooney from the edge of the six yard box just before half time.

Cliftonville suffered a blow when Jason McGuinness was sent off after picking up two yellow cards midway through the second half.

Referee Andrew Davey sends off Cliftonville's Jason McGuinness. Credit: Presseye

But Gerard Lyttle’s side were back in front in the 76th minute when Donnelly demonstrated his composure to carry the ball past the last defender and slip it under Tuffey, after being put through by Jude Winchester.

Cliftonville's Jay Donnelly celebrates scoring against Glenavon. Credit: Presseye

Glenavon capitalised on a Mooney mistake to net the equaliser two minutes from time - although the keeper protested to the referee that he had been impeded in his attempt to catch the ball from a cross.

Cliftonville protest against a goal by Glenavon's Kris Lindsay. Credit: Presseye

With the Reds running out of steam in injury time, Greg Moorhouse snatched a dramatic winner with a thunderous header to put his side level on points with Premiership leaders Crusaders.

The thriller came amid a full fixture list on Saturday.

Results

  • Crusaders 0 - 0 Linfield

  • Glenavon 3 - 2 Cliftonville

  • Ards 1 - 0 Portadown

  • Dungannon Swifts 4 - 0 Coleraine

  • Ballinamallard 0 - 1 Ballymena United

  • Glentoran 0 - 1 Carrick Rangers