Dungannon Swifts crashed to their first defeat of the new year as Glenavon came from behind to deservedly win this Mid-Ulster derby.
A stunning Kevin Braniff strike early in the second half was the difference at Mourneview Park.
And no-one could argue about the merits of the result, least of all Dungannon manager Darren Murphy.
“The best team won – I’ve no complaints,” Murphy said.
“I thought Glenavon were well organised, they played at a high tempo and their senior players led by example.”
Dungannon took the lead when Ryan Harpur netted against his former club.
But goals either side of the break from Rhys Marshall and Braniff saw Glenavon triumph.
Murphy added: “We got ourselves in front but it was against the run of play.
“Glenavon bossed it at the back, in the middle of the park and up front.”
A miserable night for Dungannon was completed when they lost full-back Cameron Grieve to what looked a serious injury late on.
After impressing as substitutes against Cliftonville, Jamie Douglas and Matt Hazley were both handed starts on Tuesday night.
And the latter provided the assist for Dungannon’s opening goal after 30 minutes.
The best move of the half saw Hazley take a pass from Douglas and play in Harpur. He timed his run perfectly to outpace the home defence and slot beyond the goalkeeper.
But Swifts’ lead lasted a mere seven minutes as Marshall posted a quickfire reply.
The teenager met a corner from Kyle Neill and, with Andy Coleman rooted to his line, he headed home from close range.
Otherwise it was a disappointing game with Glenavon shading the first half chances.
Early on Braniff’s corner fell invitingly for Ciaran Martyn, who dragged his shot wide from close range.
Later a free-kick was flicked on by Declan O’Brien but Martyn fired straight at Coleman.
Douglas went close for Dungannon at the outset of the second period, with his strike from the edge of the area clipping the post.
But Glenavon continued to carry the greater threat and took the lead in the 51st minute.
O’Brien released Braniff and the striker cut inside from the left, unleashing a sublime strike which curled beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.
Dungannon rarely looked like mounting a comeback, with another effort from distance from Douglas being gathered by James McGrath.
Braniff had a great chance to make it 3-1 but, after great footwork to find a gap, the ball ricocheted to O’Brien whose effort was blocked.
Coleman was also off his line sharply to deny Neill after the ball broke kindly for the full-back.
GLENAVON: McGrath, Murphy, Dillon, Marshall, Singleton, Neill (Hamilton, 89), McCabe, Martyn (Kilmartin, 71), Caldwell, Braniff, O’Brien (Bradley, 73)
Subs not used: Lindsay, Patton
DGN SWIFTS: Coleman, Lowe, Wilson, Burns, Grieve, Hutchinson (McCullough 81), Douglas (S Lavery, 65), Hazley (Liggett, 65), Harpur, Glackin, Mitchell
Subs not used: Armstrong, Sanusi
Referee: Keith Kennedy (Lisburn)