Delighted Stephen McDonnell claims his first home win as Glenavon edge Dungannon Swifts

Glenavon 1 Dungannon Swifts 0

Glenavon's Stephen McDonnell

Glenavon's Aaron Prendergast celebrates with his team-mates after his goal during this afternoon's game at Mourneview Park

Stephen McDonnell praised Glenavon’s fighting spirit after they made it back-to-back wins against Dungannon.

A goal from Aaron Prendergast secured the points in a tight Mid-Ulster derby.

Glenavon impressed in the first half, then dug in after the break to secure another big result.

McDonnell said: “It’s a big three points and I think the manner in which we did it is a side of the team that we have yet to see as a new coaching staff - being 1-0 ahead and hanging on.

“For all Dungannon’s dominance, particularly in the last half hour, I felt we coped very well.

“Danny Wallace and Connor Kerr in particular were a colossus at the back and Dungannon had only one really clear-cut chance in the second half.

“I’m really happy from a defensive point, because there is more than one way to win a game, and today we had to win by rolling up our sleeves and being dogged.”

The winning goal came in the 34th minute.

The ball was worked wide to Conor McCloskey and Swifts defender Caolan Marron headed against his own bar. As the ball fell to Prendergast, he steered home a controlled strike from 10 yards.

Pacemaker Press. 4-11-23. Glenavon Fc vs Dungannon Fc, in the Irish League Sports Direct Premiership Glenavon's Jack Malone and Dungannon's Leo Alves during this afternoon's game at Mourneview Park, in Lurgan.. Photo by Alan Weir/Pacemaker Press

Dungannon, who stay bottom, will look at big chances that didn’t go their way.

Early on Joe Moore broke down the right and crossed to Matty Lusty, who missed his kick from a few yards out.

Then Moore picked the ball up,