Football: BANG GOES HONEYMOON; THE JJB SPORTS IRISH CUP Seasiders ruin Cochrane's big unveiling as Glenavon boss at Mourneview Glenavon 1 Bangor 2.

Byline: By GORDON HANNA

TERRY Cochrane felt the pain as his new charges were dumped from the Irish Cup.

The former Northern Ireland ace was only named as new Glenavon manager before the kick-off and doesn't really take over until today.

But already he is in no doubt as to how big a job he faces in making Glenavon a force again.

Ground staff used blower heaters to melt the ice in the goalmouth areas to allow the game to go ahead.

But after another nightmare afternoon they must have been wishing they hadn't bothered.

There was a buzz about Mourneview Park as news of Cochrane's appointment filtered through.

And there was reason to believe better days lay ahead when Glenavon raced into a 16th minute lead.

It didn't matter that it was something of a fluke from an outstretched leg of recent signing Trevor Molloy.

The celebrated Dubliner deflected a headed pass from strike partner David Bracken over the line.

Glenavon were well in control but couldn't make their possession pay and they suffered just on the stroke of half-time.

Referee Arnold Hunter awarded a dubious penalty and former Glenavon hitman Marty Verner stroked home the equaliser.

There was barely time to re-start play when the ref blew his whistle.

And worse was to follow because Gavin McDonnell was red carded after a clash with Andy Morrow.

Amid the furore Steven Munn kept a cool head and fired home the winner from the resulting free-kick.

Ryan Brown denied the home side with a magnificent fingertip save but as Glenavon chased the game Verner had two breakaway chances to pile on the agony.

But his first effort was smothered and he blazed the second over the bar.

Bangor boss Paul Millar complained too loudly about an offside decision and was sent from the dugout but afterwards preferred to talk about his First Division braves.

"I fancied our chances because I felt there was bound to be confusion in the Glenavon camp," said Millar.

"Players didn't know what was happening about the new manager. I saw it as a golden opportunity and we cashed in.

"Make no mistake about it the better team won. It had all the look of a banana skin for Glenavon and they sure slipped up."

Glenavon stand-in boss Alan Fraser said: "The ref awarded a very harsh penalty and some of his decisions were disappointing. But when all is said and done we brought this on ourselves."

GLENAVON: Murphy; McKerr, Cowan, McDonnell, Meehan (Kearney 86 min); Magennis (Murray 71 mins), Harper (Hageman 25 mins), Walsh, Carville; Bracken, Molloy.

BANGOR: Brown; Collier, Munn, Bell, Beggs; Bailie, Irvine (Melly 8 mins), Magennis (Forsythe 26 mins), Gilmore (Emerson 90 mins); Morrow, Verner.

REFEREE: Arnold Hunter

CAPTION(S):

HEAR THIS? Marty Verner enjoys his goal for Bangor; COCHRANE: New boss; BRING ON THE BLUES: Bangor celebrate Steven Munn's winner against Glenavon - now they play holders Linfield in the last-16