Chris Scannell was the man with the X Factor as his double helped Cliftonville to a comprehensive victory over struggling Dungannon Swifts.
But for Dixie Robinson it is more a case of the fear factor after the prospect of a first victory against the Reds was crushed in North Belfast.
Cliftonville are the only side that Dungannon have yet to beat since Robinson took charge in April 2009, and this result ensures that dismal run goes on – at least until Wednesday night when the teams meet again, this time in the League Cup.
But while the record books will show a not-so-magnificent seventh straight defeat in this fixture, the result does not tell the full story of the game.
The sides were level for 74 minutes after Michael Ward cancelled out Scannell’s early strike.
But then Scannell struck for the second time, stretching his league tally to seven goals when he capitalised on a slip-up in the Swifts’ back line.
Later efforts from Rory Donnelly and Joe Gormley added gloss to a Cliftonville victory which was nowhere near as emphatic as the score suggests.
Now the sides meet for a second time this week, when Robinson will hope to finally banish his winless run in this fixture.
Yet the cup is somewhat down the priority list, with the Dungannon boss surely more concerned about Swifts’ struggles in the league.
This result leaves them second bottom, while breathing fresh impetus into Cliftonville’s title hopes after a dismal run from Tommy Breslin’s men.
Just a month ago the Reds had been third in the table, but a disappointing tally of one point from four games had seen them slide to seventh.
And Dungannon could have added to their woes through Stefan Lavery, whose blistering strike forced a fingertip save from the goalkeeper inside the first minute.
A positive start by both teams then saw Cliftonville take a sixth minute lead.
Niall Morgan failed to clear a Stephen Garrett corner, and the ball dropped for Scannell who adjusted his feet before dispatching a left-foot strike into the net.
Yet that early setback failed to dampen Dungannon’s morale and Johnny Montgomery forced Ryan Brown into action again with a 30-yard free-kick.
Morgan then denied Scannell a second, using his feet to block an effort, before Ward drew Dungannon level in the 36th minute.
It followed more good work from Lavery, who delivered a perfect cross from the right wing, with Ward powering a diving header past the ‘keeper.
Terry Fitzpatrick’s effort rattled the crossbar and then Darren Murphy shot wide as Dungannon finished the half in positive fashion.
But similar to the previous weekend’s match at Ballymena, Swifts were unable to sustain that promising play into the second period.
Instead Cliftonville showed a greater sense of purpose with George McMullan and then Scannell forcing efforts on the visitors’ goal.
And Scannell gave them the lead for a second time with 16 minutes remaining.
He chased after a header from Barry Johnston and, when the defence failed to deal with the danger, was perfectly placed to tap home.
And as Dungannon pressed for a late equaliser, Cliftonville snatched a third on the break as Donnelly converted Johnston’s cross.
And in the final minute substitute Gormley made his mark on the game, his long-range strike flashing past Morgan to make it four.
CLIFTONVILLE: Brown, Johnston, Donaghy, McMullan, Scannell (Gormley, 89), Garrett (Steele, 69), Smyth, R Donnelly, Seydak, Catney, McVeigh
Subs not used: Holland, Convery, Stuart
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, Montgomery, McCaffrey, McClean, Funston (C Forker, 81), Fitzpatrick, Murphy (McGerrigan, 52), Lavery, Ward, McCready (Campbell, 70)
Subs not used: A Forker, McAree
Referee: Mark Courtney (Dungannon)