Glenavon's Stephen McDonnell left to regret 'one that got away'

McDonnell watched his Lurgan Blues secure then let slip key advantages before ultimately having to regroup over the closing moments after conceding to 10-man Carrick Rangers.

Glenavon hit half-time with a major boost following Ross Glendinning’s handball outside the box before the break which resulted in an added-time red card for the Carrick goalkeeper.

A second significant lift arrived with a second-half spot-kick awarded for handball by Seanan Clucas off Keith Ward’s drive – but replacement shot-stopper Ben McCauley, with his first significant touch of the game on 75 minutes, got a glove at full stretch to keep out Jack Malone’s penalty.

Carrick looked set for a shock when, on 89 minutes, David Cushley scored from the penalty spot after Peter Campbell’s handball to hand the 10-man visitors a late lead.

But a final twist arrived in injury-time as Campbell clipped over a cross which David McDaid adjusted superbly to head home and rescue Glenavon.

On an afternoon of talking points among the fans, manager McDonnell’s assessment centred on one positive period within the overall frustration of “maybe one that got away”.

"The only pleasing part of the game was from minute 90 to 93 because we showed a bit of character,” said McDonnell. "Considering how the game panned out and the circumstances of them going down a player, we didn't capitalise.

"We just didn't play slick enough, we didn't hurt them enough, we didn't get between the lines enough.

"The keepers had no saves to make in the game, bar the penalty kick and the one that was past him.

"That tells you all you need to know.

"But a draw, I suppose in the end the way it was panning out (1-0 down), you have to be pleased.

"But deep down the overriding emotion is frustration and maybe the one that got away."

McDonnell introduced attacking players off his bench – with teenager Christopher Atherton and experienced playmaker Keith Ward both joining in a bid to break down Carrick’s resolve.

"It was sloppy, it was poor (v 10 men)...we didn't pass the ball well enough, unfortunately,” said McDonnell. “And then that just festers.

"Too many players making poor decisions, too many key details missed.

"Even their goal, how it comes about...one ball in.

"It's a scenario where we should be more assertive and we're not...second ball penalty kick.

"A really poor day at the office.

"The only plus was the character to get back into it and to keep that little gap between ourselves and Carrick.

"Christopher (Atherton) had a couple of really good dribbling moments, some not so good but, listen, he's a kid, he's 15.

"He's coming on with 'Wardy' (Keith Ward) as our first-choice substitutions in the game, so that says a lot about what we think of him.

"We made a lot of positive changes, a lot of attack-minded changes but it just wasn't our day."