Conor McCloskey strikes late as Glenavon beat Glentoran at the Oval

The Lurgan Blues appeared to be heading for their seventh defeat of the Danske Bank Premiership campaign as they trailed to a first half penalty kick from Darren Murray.

Player-manager Gary Hamilton came off the substitutes’ bench to grab an equaliser, before McCloskey produced a wonderful finish to win it.

The result moves Hamilton’s team to within six points of Crusaders – and the team’s are due to clash at Seaview on Friday night.

Glenavon had an early let-off when Seamus Sharkey was caught in possession by John Herron after only five minutes. The midfielder cut the ball back to Robbie McDaid, but the striker lost his footing, allowing the embarrassed defender to get back and tidy up.

After that early scare, the visitors upped the ante. New signing from Linfield, Robert Garrett, lofted a great pass into the path Stephen Murray, who could only blast his shot over the crossbar.

Then, striker Andy Mitchell whipped in a great ball from the right which was met by Cameron Stewart, whose header flashed high and wide.