Cliftonville staved off the threat of an incredible Glenavon comeback to secure a first win in more than a month last night.

Leading 3-0 with less than 15 minutes to play, the dismissal of goalscorer Ronan Scannell turned the tide in favour of the visitors, who netted twice through Willo McDonagh only to have their hopes of a point scuppered when Tony Grant was sent-off.

Indeed Ronan Scannell was the only Cliftonville player to score on the night with two own goals putting the Reds firmly in the driving seat.

First, Jay Magee’s attempted backpass from 25 yards sailed over the head of goalkeeper Andrew Plummer to open the scoring and, just minutes after Ryan Harpur had gone close to equalising, McDonagh nodded into his own net to leave Marty Quinn’s men with a real mountain to climb after the interval.

It could have been much worse for the Lurgan Blues, who almost fell three behind when Mark Patterson’s quick free-kick crashed against the base of the post on the stroke of half-time.

Francis Murphy then blasted into the side netting when he should have done better from Liam Boyce’s clever pass inside the area.

The Reds did eventually extend their advantage on 64 minutes, however, when Ryan Catney’s cross was flicked on by Boyce and Ronan Scannell was on hand to beat Plummer with his right foot.

It was his right hand which came to Cliftonville’s rescue on 77 minutes, earning him a straight red card for turning Grant’s goalbound effort over the top.

McDonagh stepped up to score from the spot and handed his team further hope seven minutes from time when he nodded past John Connolly to reduce the arrears with what was his third goal of the evening.

Striker Grant was then given his marching orders after tangling with Liam Fleming as the duo wrestled to get the ball out of the net.

His absence in the closing minutes proved telling as Glenavon failed to create any clear cut chances in the latter stages, with the Reds holding on for a rare home win.

CLIFTONVILLE: Connolly, Fleming, R Scannell, B Holland, O’Hara, Donaghy, Patterson, Murphy, Catney, Boyce, O’Connor: Subs: Brennan (Murphy, 90 mins), Smyth (O’Connor, 83 mins), Boyd, Bannon, Dunlop (Boyce, 83 mins)

GLENAVON: Plummer, Campbell, Turkington, Magee, Murray, Grant, Molloy, McDonagh, Gracey, Liggett, Harpur. Subs: Harper (Murray, 64 mins), Walsh, King (Molloy, 64 mins), Haughey, Costello (Gracey, 64 mins).

Referee: Adrian McCourt (Bangor).