GLENAVON 2-3 BANGOR , JJB Sports Premiership.

Mourneview Park, Saturday 24th January 2009
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Three Bangor goals in a hectic last seven minutes gave the Seasiders three vital points at a cold Mourneview Park on Saturday. Having fallen behind to a first half Willo McDonagh header, Bangor struggled to find any rhythm with Ryan Brown - making his first appearance in nearly 9 months - making a string of fine saves to keep his side in the game. With time running out, substitute Paul McDowell tapped in his first goal of the season to level the scores. With only five minutes remaining, David Irvine rose superbly to head his side into the lead - for 60 seconds anyway as Trevor Molloy equalised almost straight from the restart. But as has been Bangor's forte this season, a late, late goal sealed all three points with David Irvine again sending a headed effort into the net to spark some wild Bangor celebrations.

Bangor welcomed Marty Verner and Jim McMenamin back into the side after suspension with Ryan Brown replacing Andrew Plummer in goals to mark the goalkeeper's first appearance for Bangor in the Premiership.

It didn't take long for Brown to make his first save to push a low James Costello shot round the base of his near post.

At the other end of the pitch, Mark Magennis watched on as his 25-yard freekick clipped the top of the crossbar with Robert Robinson well beaten.

The home side were dealt a blow in the 13th minute when star-striker Tony Grant limped off the pitch to be replaced by Eamon Murray. The substitute didn't take long to get involved in the thick of the action as he delivered the corner for Willo McDonagh to rise unmarked and power a header into the net from 10 yards.

A well struck Murray freekick in the 33rd minute forced Brown into a smart save high to his left with the impressive keeper reacting quickly to keep out McDonagh's header from the resultant corner.

Brown was again called into action three minutes later as he dived to superbly push over Trevor Molloy's quickly taken 30-yard freekick.

Half-time: 1 - 0

Neither side was able to assume complete control of the early stages of the second half with Bangor replacing Aaron McKee with Glenn Hand on the hour mark to try and salvage something from the game.

Bangor began to create chances for the first time with the Glenavon defence becoming deeper and deeper but neither Verner nor Irvine could capitalise on the half-chances that fell their way.

David Irvine was given a great opportunity to score in the 75th minute but the midfielder's header from a Morrow cross fell agonisingly wide of the target.

With less than 15 minutes remaining, Bangor changed to a more attacking formation with Dominic Melly replacing Andy Cleary and Paul McDowell taking Marty Verner's position upfront.

Moments later Glenn Hand forced Robinson into a diving save from 20 yards before Darren Lockhart sent Jim McMenamin's cross just wide of the upright.

Bangor's pressure paid off in the 83rd minute when Glenn Hand was played into space by an Andy Morrow pass. The winger continued down the right flank before sending a low cross into the 6-yard box where Paul McDowell was on hand to tap the ball into the net.

Things got even better for the Seasiders in the 86th minute when a quickly taken Mark Magennis freekick picked out David Irvine who leaped high above his marker to power a header past Robinson and into the far corner of the net - marking the midfielder's 25th goal in a Bangor shirt.

With Bangor still celebrating taking the lead, Glenavon attacked straight from the kick-off. Trevor Molloy worked himself into space inside the Bangor penalty area before slamming the ball low past the helpless Brown and into the bottom corner.

If the final few minutes weren't dramatic enough, Bangor retook the lead with only a minute remaining. Dominic Melly did well on the right wing to make a mug of his marker before crossing the ball for the towering David Irvine who sent an almost identical header crashing past Robinson and into the net.

There was yet more drama to come deep into stoppage time when James Costello fired a low shot against the outside of the post from a narrow angle, but Bangor held on to claim a vital three points in their quest to avoid relegation.

Full-time: 2 - 3

Bangor: Brown, Youle, Cleary ('76 Melly), McMenamin, Gracey, McKee ('61 Hand), Magennis, Irvine, Lockhart, Morrow, Verner ('76 McDowell). Subs not used: Boyd, Anderson

Scorers: McDowell ('83), Irvine ('86, '89)

Glenavon: Robinson, Hudson, Turkington, Haughey, Dickson, McDonagh, Harpur, Walsh, Molloy, Grant ('13 Murray ('81 Harper), Costello. Subs not used: Murphy, Scott, Carville.

Scorers: McDonagh ('28), Molloy ('87) Booked: Molloy, Harpur

Referee: Mr K Halliday