Hamilton rescues point

The home side left it late, sub Gary Hamilton bringing the sides level with just five minutes to go.

Glenavon had been hoping for a home win, but in the end they were relieved to finish all square.

The Lurgan Blues carved out the first chance on 11 minutes when Ciaran Caldwell picked out Eoin Bradley with a neat back-heel but his shot was well over the bar.

A few minutes later Kyle Neill’s run was halted as Institute conceded a free kick and Kevin Braniff’s curling effort was well saved by Gallagher.

Glenavon had a great chance to take the lead on 21 minutes after defender O’Donnell slipped allowing the ball to break for Bradley but he could not get his shot away and when he fed McCabe his effort was blocked and cleared.

On 29 minutes a lovely bit of skill saw Caldwell break clear on the left flank, his perfect cross was met by unmarked Braniff but he could not hit the target.

Glenavon were having plenty of the ball but finding it hard to get a clean shot on goal and on 39 minutes James Singleton tried his luck from distance but the ball skimmed the upright. Institute then broke on the counter and Stephen Curry failed to test Blayney.

Three minutes before the break William Murphy did well to clear the danger with Curry waiting to pounce.

There was a let-off for Glenavon early in the second half when Hume broke clear and looked certain to score but Blayney made a superb save to keep the sides level.

However, the visitors stunned the home fans on 55 minutes when striker Stephen O’Flynn drilled a low shot from a free kick past the dive of Blayney.

Neill had a great chance to square the match two minutes later when put in by McGory but he scuffed his shot.

Caldwell then smashed a shot on the half volley that was deflected for a corner and a minute later Braniff was chopped down just outside the box but his free kick failed to clear the wall.

Rhys Marshall did well to break up an Institue attack, he fed McGrory who set Bradley racing down the right wing but he was pulled down outside the box.

Gary Hamilton replaced Neill on 75 minutes in a bid to find a way back and it almost came when Singleton won the ball and curled a shot across the face of goal.

Then Braniff had a header saved from close in, but Glenavon then were reduced to ten men when Singleton was red carded for hauling down McVeigh.

It was all or nothing now and Hamilton pulled the sides level on 85 minutes, he tucked away the rebound after Caldwell’s shot had been pushed onto the post.

Hume almost won it for the visitors but Lindsay hurled himself in front of his shot to concedea corner.