It was a painful afternoon in more ways than one for Darren Murphy as Dungannon Swifts’ Irish Cup dreams were shattered at the first hurdle.The cutting edge provided by Gary Twigg was the difference as Portadown booked their place in the last 16 with this hard-fought win.
His two goals – one a back-post header and the other from a defensive error – were a classic example of a striker with an ability to take his chances.
By contrast Dungannon, for all their possession and hard work, lacked that potency in the final third.
An unhappy Murphy took out his frustration on a changing room table after the final whistle – and came off worse.
He emerged to speak to reporters sporting a suspected broken hand, but was more pained by his side’s wastefulness in front of goal.
Undoubtedly Dungannon have more important matters to concentrate on.
League survival is far from secured, and they have a hugely important match against one of their main rivals, Glenavon, tomorrow night.
But Murphy will still view this as a missed opportunity.
Last season Dungannon reached the Irish Cup semi-finals, the high point of an otherwise disappointing campaign, and another good run would have helped lift morale.
The sixth-round draw, which saw Portadown paired with Championship side Ards, only served to reinforce the disappointment.
Murphy had made three changes for the tie, and as expected Jonny Curran was selected as goalkeeper following Niall Morgan’s departure.
But his first task was to pick the ball out of the net after Twigg’s early strike.
Just 12 minutes had elapsed when a throw was headed on by Brian Gartland towards the back post, where the striker was free to head home.
It was a desperately disappointing goal to concede, but Swifts’ response was encouraging.
With Ryan Harpur and Matt Hazley pulling the strings in midfield, they controlled the game and enjoyed lengthy spells of possession.
Yet their dominance was rarely turned into shots on goal. Indeed, it took 43 minutes for the visitors to force a meaningful chance.
Francis Brennan broke down the right wing and sent a low effort just wide of the back post. Perhaps a pass to Chris Lavery or James Costello, who were waiting in the box, may have been a better option.
Dungannon went close again early in the second period.
Costello caught Gartland in possession and crossed towards PJ Lavery. His strike was parried away with Hazley unable to convert the rebound.
Portadown introduced another of their January signings, Aaron Burns, and he brought some extra guile and threat to the home attack.
After breaking into the box, Burns saw one strike blocked by Emmet Friars before sending the loose ball just wide of the back post.
The Ports’ problems were mostly of their own making. Again a sloppy pass gifted the ball to PJ Lavery, and his snapshot drew a good save from David Miskelly.
The home side threatened again via a Kevin Braniff chipped effort and a Darren Murray header, before Twigg struck for the second time.
Again Murphy will be hugely disappointed at how it came about. Brennan’s back header fell short, and the striker raced on to the loose ball before rifling home.
However, Dungannon were back in the game within four minutes.
PJ Lavery threaded a fine pass through the Ports’ defence, and Josh Cahoon – a 71st minute substitute – timed his run perfectly to convert with a classy right-foot finish.
Suddenly Swifts sensed they might snatch a replay, and Costello saw an effort blocked at close range following another surging run from Brennan.
But as they pushed forward, Portadown hit them on the counter-attack.
Burn was twice denied by good blocks from Curran while Murray almost added a third with a low effort which came back off the far post.
PORTADOWN: Miskelly, Redman, Ramsey, Murray, Braniff, Mouncey (Burns, 52), O’Neill, Casement, Gartland, McCafferty, Twigg
Subs not used: Mackle, McArdle, Lecky, Patton
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, Brennan, Friars, Grieve, McMinn, PJ Lavery, C Lavery (Gawley, 63), Hazley (Cahoon, 71), Harpur, Hutchinson (R O’Neill, 90), Costello
Subs not used: Montgomery, Glackin
Referee: David Malcolm (Bangor)