EUROPA LEAGUE: Glenavon in narrow defeat against KR

Just like England, Glenavon lost 2-1 to a determined Icelandic side after taking an earlier lead. Unlike England, the Lurgan Blues won't fly home in disgrace.

In fact, Gary Hamilton’s men have a very realistic chance of progressing to the next round of the Europa League, with the second leg against Icelandic side KR set for Mourneview Park next Thursday night.

A first half Simon Kelly goal gave Glenavon the lead, but a late penalty completed the KR comeback.

Kelly’s goal arrived in the 14th minute when he headed home an Andy Hall corner-kick.

KR found an equaliser five minutes before the half-time whistle. A quick throw-in found Finnur Margeirsson, who picked out Palmi Palmason. The striker’s 12-yard volley gave Tuffey no chance.

After a tense second half, KR found a winner with 13 minutes left on the clock. Substitute Andrew Doyle conceded a spot-kick on his debut after he fouled Finnur Margeirsson inside the area.

Holmbert Fridgeirsson stepped up to the spot and dispatched the penalty past Tuffey.

KR: Magnusson, Beck, Praest, Gunnarsson, Fridgeirsson (Jósepsson 82) , Margeirsson, Palmason, Anderson (Fridjonsson 72), I. Sigurdsson, Chopart, Hauksson (Fazlagic 87). Subs: Jensson, Michaelsson, Tryggvason, A. Sigurdsson

Glenavon: Tuffey, Kelly, Lindsay (Doyle 52), Marshall, Cooper, Bradley, Hall, Patton, Sykes, Moorehouse (Hamilton 71), Martyn (Kilmartin 82). Subs: Taylor, O’Mahoney

Ref: Nicolas Laforge (Belgium).