Paul Kirk will be the happier of the two managers after this exciting Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final first leg tie ended all-square at Mourneview Park last night.

At least his troops go into the second leg on December 16 boasting what could prove to be a vital away goal from Curtis Allen after Adrian Harper had given Glenavon the lead.

It was Distillery who lived dangerously early on and had keeper Phillip Matthews to thank for some timely interceptions.

He saved at the feet of Tony Grant from Paul Carvill’s wicked low cross and repeated the act at David Larmour’s feet this time when Grant provided the inviting cross from the by-line.

Distillery also survived a penalty claim as Adrian Harper appeared to be held back as he raced into the box.

Glenavon had their own scary moments and Tuda Murphy saved Jay Magee’s blushes when he saved Gary Browne’s shot at the base of his left hand post after the big striker had given his marker the slip.

And after eager beaver Murray fired just over the top with a 25 yard scorcher home keeper Murphy had to make an acrobatic full length dive across his goal to deny the bustling Gary Browne. But it was Glenavon who edged ahead almost on the stroke of half-time when Adrian Harper, lying on the ground, deflected Ryan Harpur’s angled shot past Matthews.

Distillery should really have levelled matters in the first minute of the second half but the usually deadly Curtis Allen somehow contrived to flick the ball wide from Mark Cooling’s cross.

But Allen made amends with 64 minutes on the clock with a curling free-kick from 22 yards after he was fouled as he forced his way past defender Hugh Dickson.

It was a painful lesson for the home side who had survived a couple of earlier efforts from set pieces needlessly conceded around the danger area.

For Allen it was very much a case of ‘if at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again.’ And he did!Glenavon: Murphy; Hudson, Magee, Dickson, Carville; Scates, Harper (Finlay 77 mins), Harpur, Murray (Scott 57 mins); Grant, Larmour. Subs: Buchanan (GK), Liggett, Haughey

Lisburn Distillery: Matthews; McCann, W Buchanan, Hamilton, Thompson; G Muir, Kilmartin, Cooling, B Browne (Evans 60 mins); G Browne (Larmour 75 mins), Allen (Corey 87 mins). Subs: P Muir, Hall

Referee: Adrian McCourt (Bangor).