Those two goals in the final minutes of the first half breathe some life into an otherwise mundane opening period.

Leroy Millar's goal is the difference between the sides at the break. Linfield have had chances but unable to breach the home goal so far.

Ballymena'a Aaron Jarvis has the ball in the net from a Dylan McGeouch free kick but the referee's assistant has his flag raised and the effort doesn't count.

Into three added minutes as Jordan McEneff goes into Chris Morrison's notebook for a lazy foul on halfway.

Ryan Cooney hangs a free-kick into the box where a crowd of Glentoran players are waiting to attack.

It is a wasted journey forward for the big men at the back however, as the delivery is far too close to Lewis Ridd.

A Linfield free-kick straight over the top causes a brief bit of panic in the home rearguard. After a bit of pinball, Kyle McClean's near-post effort is stopped and held by Rohan Ferguson.

Full-back Paddy Burns sends in a whipped cross from the left flank which Paul McGovern meets with a glancing header and Ballymena keeper Brad Wade is relieved to see the effort whistle narrowly wide.

That's been Glenavon's best opening so far.

Larne break at pace with Tiarnan O'Connor leading the charge. He hurdles a challenge from Euan East and looks up to see red shirts streaking forward with him.

His cross is a good one but well cleared by Ben Hall. It drops to Dan Bent on the edge of the box but his low shot is blocked and Linfield survive.

Image source, PACEMAKER

I mentioned earlier that both goalkeepers were having a quiet evening at Solitude.

Since the 25-minute mark, Lewis Ridd has been the busiest man on the pitch!

The flight of David Toure's right wing cross catches Glenavon keeper Jacob Carney out but it's too far in front of the in-rushing Matthew Clarke to pose any problems as it drifts out for a goal kick.

Danny Amos rifles a powerful effort from distance that Lewis Ridd can only parry into the danger zone.

The goalkeeper reacts quickly at the second time of asking to smother the ball before Pat Hoban can pounce.

Ryan Cooney delivers a dangerous-looking corner into the area with both sets of players jostling for position but Lewis Ridd is there to punch clear.

Liam McStravick gifts the ball to Danny Amos who drives forward and has a crack from distance under no pressure at all.

Lewis Ridd is forced to stretch and tips the ball behind to keep the score level.

Another Ballymena break sees Kian Corbally again slip a pass into the path of Success Edogun, in a similar position to his earlier effort.

This time, though, the striker blazes wildly off target.

A spot of Sean-on-Sean violence as Brown fouls Graham and gets booked.

It's a free kick in a dangerous location on the left wing for the hosts.

Michael Glynn pings a dangerous free-kick into the heart of the area where Shaun Leppard connects from close range.

It's a half-chance for the Reds but Andy Mills reacts quickly to smother the danger.

Aaron Donnelly awkwardly loses possession on the edge of his own box and Matt Fitzpatrick feeds Kyle McClean.

The Linfield captain hits a low shot that is well saved by Rohan Ferguson and he picks it up at the second bite of the cherry to thwart the incoming Sean Brown.

Liam McStravick drives forward with pace and plays a through ball into the path of Brian Healy.

The frontman takes aim at the near post but his low shot is blocked and deflects behind for a corner which is eventually cleared.