Niall Quinn stings the palms of Nathan Gartside with a fiercely struck free-kick from 25 yards as Glenavon start the second half the way they finished the first.

The action resumes at the Oval with no changes at the break.

Jack Malone gets us back underway at Lakeview Park.

Joe Crowe gets the ball rolling once more at Taylors Avenue.

Here's how Jack Malone added a second for Glenavon against bottom side Loughgall.

Image source, Inpho

No goals to tell you about after 45 minutes.

A few chances for both sides with the best opportunity when Frankie Hvid's effort was denied by the right-hand post.

Visitors Glenavon hold a 2-0 advantage at the break and, in truth, it could be more.

Christopher Atherton waltzed through the home defence to slot home in the 17th minute before Jack Malone headed home from close range just after the half hour.

Michael O'Connor volleyed against the post minutes before the break while Len O'Sullivan also went close.

The hosts have offered little in a disappointing first period for the league's basement club.

It finishes scoreless at the end of the first half here at Taylors Avenue.

Neither side has produced many moments of brilliance but it has been an entertaining tie in perfect derby fashion.

A Carrick corner is partially cleared to Seanan Clucas on the edge of the area and he swivels and shoots. His effort takes a deflection off Tomas Cosgrove and draws a wonderful reflex save from Rohan Ferguson in goal.

Just like at Lakeview Park, there will be one minute of additional time here.

Into one additional minute at the end of the first half.

Some heavy challenges going in and Seanan Clucas is the latest to dish one out.

He goes in late on the recently booked Mark Randall and gives away a free-kick. Randall then taps Clucas on the head and there are calls for a second yellow for the Larne man but a free-kick is the only outcome.

Caolan Loughran's strike from a Patrick McEleney free-kick crashes into the side netting as we enter the final few minutes of the first half.

Loughgall's Jordan Gibson is the first name in the referee's notebook, penalised for a late challenge on Harry Murphy as the Glenavon defender strides forward with the ball.

The free-kick is cleared away for a corner, but Ballymena fail to make the second set-piece count.

Frankie Hvid fouls Calvin McCurry right at the edge of the box and Ballymena now have a free-kick in a good position.

Can they make it count?

James Carroll completely mis-times his attempted clearance, presenting a golden opportunity for Michael O'Connor.

The Glenavon front man catches his volley sweetly from eight yards but his effort crashes off the post.

A let-off for Loughgall.

It's been feisty enough so far with Aaron Jarvis the first name in referee Evan Boyce's book for a late challenge.

Dylan Connolly does well to keep possession down the right wing and plays the danger back for David Fisher at the edge of the box, who scuffs his resulting shot.

Fisher will be disappointed with that effort.

Fra McCaffrey screws his right foot shot well wide of the target from distance.

Kind of sums up the home side's night so far.