Irish Premiership: Blues beat Coleraine to stay top as Ballymena edge Ports

The game was only a minute old when Glenavon striker David McDaid had the first effort of the game, drilling a low strike from the edge of the box, but it was well saved by Daniel Gyollai.

It would be almost another 30 minutes until the hosts created their first chance, with James Singleton’s acrobatic effort sailing over the bar from 12 yards out.

Glentoran almost snatched the lead on half-time without having to touch the ball.

From a free-kick out on the right, a Glenavon defender hooked the ball inadvertently towards his own goal where it was destined to drop in over the head of Gareth Deane, but James Carroll was on hand to clear away to safety.

Frankie Hvid went close for the home side just after the break, but his header was straight at Deane – however, the best chance of the game fell to the visitors on 75 minutes.

Keith Ward’s free-kick from 25-yards out was half-saved by Gyollai onto the foot of James Carroll, but he could not find a way past the keeper from a yard out as he made another stop.

The ball then fell at the feet of Barney McKeown, but the defender could also only fire into Gyollai from close range.

Jay Donnelly went close at the other end before Glenavon could have won it five minutes from time.

A mistake from Frankie Hvid allowed Harry Lynch to gather the ball and race through on goal, but his effort was superbly saved by the advancing Gyollai as the two teams had to settle for a point apiece.