Glentoran 2-1 Glenavon

Glentoran bounced back from successive league defeats by beating Glenavon in a keenly-contested match at the Oval.

Richard Clarke turned on the edge of the box to score with a low shot which went in off a post in the 29th minute.

Glenavon levelled midway through the second half when substitute Mark Brown jinked past a couple of defenders to shoot past Glens keeper Aaron Hogg.

Glentoran secured the much-needed win when Mark Clarke headed in from Stephen Carson's corner on 72 minutes.

It gave Eddie Patterson's men their first win in four Premiership matches.

"It was a test of character and credit to the lads," said a relieved Glens boss.

"It keeps us in the mix at the right end of the table.

"It was a difficult game considering the injuries we had - seven players out injured and keeper Elliott Morris suspended.

"We should have been out of sight and could have been punished for not taking our chances."