What went wrong for relegated Glenavon this season?

The midfielder was subsequently sidelined for an extra three games following an injury picked up against Bangor in December.

The 28-year-old has made an impact when available and scored three goals, but between injuries and suspensions, he has missed nearly half the season.

In contrast to last campaign, Campbell only missed two games and was influential for the Lurgan Blues as they finished 10th, but 12 points ahead of 11th placed Carrick Rangers.

In a team already lacking leaders, Campbell's stop-start season did not help their cause.

Too many post-split draws

While Glenavon's attempt to avoid relegation was a commendable one, their inability to win games following the split proved costly.

In their opening post-split match, the side drew 1-1 with Portadown after substitute Campbell netted in the 84th minute and drew against Ballymena United in their following fixture.

A goalless draw at Clandeboye Park against Bangor paired with Crusaders 4-0 thrashing of Portadown meant that the Lurgan Blues drifted back into the bottom spot.

The results all set up an exciting encounter with the Crues at Mourneview, but the side were defeated thanks to Fraser Bryden's goal to end Glenavon's hopes of pulling off one of the best relegation comebacks in the Irish Premiership.

Relegation 'a chance to reset'

Despite the dreams of Glenavon's fans and players avoiding the automatic drop were ended at the penultimate hurdle, former assistant manager Colin Coates believe the club now have a chance to come back stronger.

The side announced in March that a proposed investment from Football International Limited had been completed which will boost their hopes of returning back to the top flight next season.

"It just shows where the league is at. Every team outside the top four, that can happen to them," Colin Coates said on BBC Ulster's Sportsound.

"One bad summer in terms of transfer window or one bad run of form at the start of the season, it can cost you your place in the Premiership. That is how competitive it is.

"Disappointed for Glenavon but I hope in some ways it gives them an opportunity to reset.

"I remember when I got relegated in 2005 with Crusaders, it let us reset as a club not just a team. Obviously, the rest is history after that."

Coates was part of McLaughlin's coaching staff who helped Glenavon avoid relegation last year but couldn't keep that momentum going into this campaign.

"Glenavon have been flirting with relegation for the last three seasons and have had to change their manager before Christmas to try salvage their season, but it hasn't worked out this time," he added.

"They probably left too much to do when Michael O'Connor came in and maybe this will give them the opportunity, with the investment, to take stock, go again and hopefully go up at the first time of asking."