Triple effort from Glenavon as the visitors go so close to taking the lead.

Keith Ward with the initial free-kick 25-yards out that Daniel Gyollai in goal half-saved onto the foot of James Carroll. Carroll could not find a way past Gyollai from a yard out as the keeper made another stop.

The second save then fell at the feet of Barney McKeown but the defender could also only fire into the keeper from close range. A real let off for the home side.

Big chance for Portadown as Steven McCullough ghosts in behind the Ballymena defence to meet Eoghan McCawl's cross but his side-footed half-volley is straight at Sean O'Neill.

Rory Brown, at fault for Linfield's second goal, goes some way to redeeming himself with a brilliant fingertip save to deny Joel Cooper after the frontman gets his head on Euan East's inviting cross from the left.

Half chance for the visitors. Matthew Snoddy gets a shot away from an acute angle, but it is well blocked and goes out for a corner.

Glenavon may just fancy their chances on a counter-attack.

Ross Clarke's free-kick is headed wide by Harry Franklin as Crusaders continue to push for the opening goal of the game.

Midway through the second half and the ball has been in the half of the pitch defended by Ballymena for virtually the entire second period.

The home side have yet to find a way through a stubborn Ballymena rearguard, though.

More bookings than goals so far in the second half.

First, Linfield skipper Jamie Mulgrew goes into referee Jamie Robinson's notebook for a late tackle on Dylan Boyle before Coleraine defender Kyle McClelland is shown a yellow card for dissent after appeals for a home penalty are waved away.

As suspected Dean Smith turns to his bench for fresh legs.

Caolan McAleer, Conor Kerr and Conor McCloskey make way for Alberto Balde, Nathaniel Ferris and Jordan Gibson.

Almost an instant impact from Andrew Mitchell as John McGovern pulls the ball back into his path, with his right footed strike just flying over the crossbar.

A lovely by the hosts that almost results in a third goal.

A few fans getting frustrated at the Oval with the lack of cutting edge from the hosts. The game has struggled for tempo so far and it really needs a goal you feel to spark the game into life.

A half chance comes and goes for Coleraine.

A rare defensive lapse sees Jamie Glackin one on one with Chris Johns but the Linfield 'keeper is out quickly to smother.

Crusaders have dominated the second half so far and are starting to ask more questions of the Loughgall defence.

Will Dean Smith turn to his bench to try help weather the storm?

Rodney McAree looks to his bench and makes his first change of the afternoon as Andrew Mitchell comes on in place of Leo Alves.

25 minutes left on the clock at Stangmore Park.

Ballymena make a change just after the hour mark as Joe Moore replaces Calvin McCurry on the left flank.

Harry Franklin's cross from the left flank is headed off target by Kieran Offord, who has another opportunity seconds later but, once again, he sends his effort wide.

A well-worked corner comes to nothing for Linfield as Kirk Millar overhits his cross, but David Healy will be pleased with the invention, if not the execution.

Jay Donnelly on for Glentoran now as they push to find an elusive opener.

Niall Quinn and Keith Ward are on for Glenavon.

Portadown go close again as they work the ball into Ryan Mayse on the right-hand side of the penalty area, but his low shot hits the side netting when rolling it across the face of goal might have been a better option.

The Ports have started the second half brightly, though, as they chase an equaliser.