Sean Stewart, eyes locked on Ryan Curran at the back post, whips in a cross for the frontman, but Stewart overhits his delivery and sends the ball soaring over Curran's head and out of play for a goal kick.

Josh Carson clips in a free kick for Ballymena and Kym Nelson - reminiscent of his recent goal against Cliftonville - ghosts in at the back post to meet it.

The entire ground expects to see the net bulge but on this occasion, the defender's header is wide of the target.

Huge chance for Ballymena.

Peter Campbell looks like Glenavon's danger man in the opening quarter of an hour and he forces Aaron McCarey into a fine stop.

The Glenavon wide man shows superb skill to control the ball and get his shot away under pressure but the former Glentoran 'keeper is quickly out to smother.

Taylor Steven darts into the Carrick penalty area, only to be sent tumbling under Kurtis Forsythe's challenge.

Steven looks towards referee Mark Dillon, who remains unmoved, waving away the protests with a dismissive shake of his head.

There are handbags between Ross Clarke and Dean Jarvis with both players cautioned as a result.

It's been a cagey opening at the Loughshore Arena, with neither Carrick nor Jim Magilton's side able to stamp their authority on the game.

Here's hoping for more quality as the game progresses.

Darren Murphy
Sportsound summariser

With the quality Mayse has he will be really disappointed with himself, he hits it first time with his left foot, and it sails over the crossbar. It is a really good chance and the first real big chance of the game.

Moments after threatening the Glenavon goal, Portadown do it again - this time Ryan Mayse volleying narrowly over the crossbar from 12 yards.

Better from the away side.

Jonny Tuffey makes his first save of the afternoon to keep out Alfie Gaston's low strike.

Jordan Forsythe finds space 30-yards out and fires a strong strike towards goal, which is a whisker wide.

Crusaders have started to up the tempo in the last few minutes.

It's take 12 minutes but Portadown finally have a foray forward, Shay McCartan cutting in off the left wing on to his right foot and forcing Gareth Deane into a smart save low at his near post.

Ben Kennedy plays a neat one-two with Danny Lafferty before crossing to Calvin McCurry.

The striker takes a good touch but his shot, while well hit, is straight into the midriff of Nathan Gartside.

Harry Franklin falls under the challenge of Cameron Stewart in the box, but referee Shane Andrews waves away the appeals.

Ryan Curran rises to meet Rory Hale's corner but fails to make clean contact as the ball drops invitingly for Michael Newberry, eight yards from goal.

However, the defender's attempted volley is one to forget as the ball sails over the crossbar, failing to trouble Ross Glendinning.

Ben Kennedy's clever through ball splits the Loughgall defence and puts Joe Moore clear but, on his weaker right foot, his shot lacks the power to beat Nathan Gartside, who saves comfortably.

Jay Boyd spins and fires a low shot wide of the target in the first real attack of the game.

It's been a bitty opening 10 minutes at the Showgrounds with no real rhythm to it.

Jamie Glackin plays the ball back for Jack Scott, whose shot from the edge of the box is narrowly over.

That's the first chance of the game.

A timely intervention from Steven McCullough prevents the hosts from taking the lead.

Peter Campbell does brilliantly to break into the Portadown penalty area and drill a low cross in front of goal.

With Davy McDaid lurking in front of goal six yards out, McCullough stretches out his left foot to clear the danger.

All Glenavon in the opening minutes.

A comfortable early take from Aaron McCarey from a Peter Campbell cross.

Just what a goalkeeper wants.

His opposite number, Gareth Deane, yet to get his hands on the ball.