What went wrong for relegated Glenavon this season?

Glenavon have been relegated to the Championship for the first time in 21 seasons following Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Crusaders at Mourneview Park. It looked like Glenavon may have done enough to pull off the great escape when they closed the 12-point gap and leapfrogged Crusaders into 11th position in March. However, following Crusaders' win over Portadown last weekend and Glenavon's narrow loss to Declan Caddell's side on Saturday, they will fall out of the Premiership for the first time since the 2004-05 season next campaign.

BBC Sport NI takes a look at what went wrong for the Lurgan Blues this year. Challenging start to the season It was a tough start to the season for Glenavon, who failed to register a point in their opening 11 games. Following the poor start, manager Paddy McLaughlin left the club in October after less than a year at the helm.

The side's confidence was understandably low after they failed to score in nine of theeir opening 13 games. At the other end, they conceded 50 goals before the January window with their goal difference significantly impacted. Michael O'Connor has done an impressive job since he came in, but the damage may have already been done.

McDaid makes move to Portstewart Already lacking in experience, David McDaid leaving the club to become Portstewart's assistant manager in November didn't help the side. The 34-year-old played a pivotal role at the Lurgan Blues since he joined last summer and netted a penalty in the 89th minute during his final game in a Glenavon shirt. The striker made 51 appearances and scored 12 goals overall and with the club already struggling at the start of the season, he could have helped guide the club to stability earlier.