Linfield 0-2 Glenavon

Josh Daniels and Mark Griffin scored in either half as Glenavon comfortably beat Linfield 2-0 in the Danske Bank Premiership.

In a lively start, both clubs had early chances on a freezing cold night at Windsor Park.

The first fell to the home side as Jimmy Callacher poked a loose ball to Achille Campion inside the Glenavon box, but the Frenchman lumped over from close range with just 5 minutes on the clock.

Glenavon responded with Bobby Burns creating a chance for Josh Daniels, but he delayed his shot for a fraction too long and his effort was blocked.

However, Daniels made no mistake with his next chance. A stunning first touch inside the box bought him a few yards of space, and he then cooly rolled the ball beyond Gareth Deane in the 21st minute.

The home side struggled to reply, and in the 52nd minute, Kurtis Byrne slammed over a volley from outside the box.

Andy Waterworth then lined up a shot 2 minutes later, but his own teammate Stephen Lowry appeared to take the ball off his toes as he charged into the box.

Glenavon then missed a glaring chance on the hour mark after a wayward throw by Linfield's Joe Crowe went straight to Andrew Mitchell on the halfway line.

He turned and found Stephen Murray in acres of space, and with several teammates joining him in the attack. However, he elected to shoot rather than square it once he entered the box, and Deane blocked his effort to spare Crowe's blushes.

Glenavon maintained the pressure, and with 74 minutes played Deane had to get a hand onto a driven cross by Andy McGrory which was diverted onto the crossbar.

With 10 minutes to play substitute Mark Griffin lashed home a deflected but decisive second goal for Glenavon, his driven effort from the edge of the box coming after a surging run by Sammy Clingan.