By Nial Foster At Mourneview Park

Glenavon's Tony Grant in action against Albert Watson of Ballymena

Goals from Gary McCutcheon and Richard Gibson extended Ballymena's fine away record and handed Glenavon their first defeat of the Premiership campaign.

McCutcheon's eighth-minute opener came after Gavin Taggart's initial shot had delected off former United winger Stuart King.

The ball fell to McCutcheon who placed his header over keeper Andrew Plummer.

Gibson glanced in a right-foot shot from close-range near the end from a Michael Smith cross.

Glenavon had several chances to equalise after McCutcheon's opener.

Mark Miskimmin saw a flicked header from six yards go just wide after King's accurate cross from the left.

Then a poor clearance by United keeper Dwayne Nelson handed Tony Grant a good chance but his lob from 35 yards out went well wide.

Another King cross found Grant who headed towards the net from six yards out only for the ball to be deflected off Ballymena's Denver Gage.

Glenavon had more chances in the second half but Grant headed over on two occasions and Trevor Molloy was also too high with a 25-yard shot.

It was Ballymena who scored again, with Gibson making it 2-0 near the end.

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