Coming into this contest, options were limited for boss Stuart King who had lost Kurtis Forsythe and Cameron Stewart (injury) as well as Steven Gordon (suspension) from the side that had beaten Loughgall seven days prior.
King’s panel was boosted, however, by the return of Joe Crowe from a two-game ban while Mark Surgenor made the bench having been sidelined since the end of last year.
It was an edgy start in County Armagh where Glenavon enjoyed the majority of possession and threatened first through Jamie Doran’s low, 20-yard shot that trickled just past the post.
However, the ‘Gers were presented with a golden opportunity to go in front after twenty minutes.
Lewis MacKinnon’s delivery into the box found James Teelan who was bundled into from behind by Conor Kerr, resulting in the award of a penalty to the visitors.
Skipper David Cushley assumed the responsibility and showed no sign of nerves as he lashed the ball into the top corner from twelve yards.
Carrick looked much brighter after their opener and went on to double their lead only ten minutes later.
Danny Wallace’s attempted clearance landed at the feet of Teelan who put the ball into the box and after it was knocked down, Curtis Allen was the fastest to react as he nipped in ahead of Kerr and turned it into the net beyond goalkeeper Mark Byrne.
It could, and perhaps should, have been three soon after as Allen capitalised on a defensive mistake to race towards goal, however with Danny Gibson free to his left, he chose instead to go himself and saw his shot blocked.
Rangers were regretting that missed opportunity even more when Glenavon halved the deficit five minutes from the break.
Niall Quinn’s free-kick into the middle found Stephen Teggart who was afforded too much space to send the ball past Ross Glendinning.
The Lurgan Blues crafted a good chance to equalise after the break, but Wallace’s left wing cross was just behind Jamie Doran who headed over the crossbar.
At the other end, Mark Byrne was well off his line when his kick out struck one of his own players and landed at the feet of Nedas Maciulaitis, but he couldn’t hit the target with his attempt from distance.
Danny Gibson then interchanged nicely with Maciulaitis which set him up for a one-on-one; he poked the ball past the onrushing Byrne towards Allen but Wallace was well positioned to clear the danger.
As the half progressed, the ‘Gers opted to sit back as Stephen McDonnell’s side looked for the leveller; Wallace’s deflected shot thankfully didn’t catch out Ross Glendinning before the Carrick ‘keeper had to tip Kerr’s close range header over the bar in injury time.
Both sides were reduced to ten men in the second minute of time added on.
Teelan’s tackle on Robbie Garrett was deemed to have been high with excessive force, while Garrett himself was dismissed for a retaliatory kick at Teelan.
The full time whistle brought celebratory scenes in the away end at Mourneview Park as supporters, players and staff came together to cheer their 7th-placed finish and qualification to the European Play-offs where Crusaders will be the opponents.
Glenavon: Mark Byrne; David Toure (Matthew Snoddy, 64), Mark Haughey, Conor Kerr, Danny Wallace; Sean Ward (Troy Savage, 86), Robbie Garrett, Niall Quinn (Gavin Hodgins, 75); Stephen Teggart (James Doona, 46), Jamie Doran, Conor McCloskey (Peter Campbell, 64).
Unused substitutes: Joshua Gracey, Daniel Shiel.
Bookings: Danny Wallace (53’), Sean Ward (86’)
Red Card: Robbie Garrett (90+2’)
Carrick Rangers: Ross Glendinning; Lewis MacKinnon, Joe Crowe, Albert Watson, Ben Tilney; David Cushley (Mark Surgenor, 68), Kyle Cherry (Scott Graham, 90+3); James Teelan, Nedas Maciulaitis (Pearse O’Prey, 90+3), Danny Gibson (Emmett McGuckin, 81); Curtis Allen (Jaydyn Withers, 90+3).
Unused substitutes: Ben McCauley, Ben Buchanan-Rolleston.
Bookings: Emmett McGuckin (86’)
Red Card: James Teelan (90+2’)
Referee: Ian McNabb
