New signing Joe McCready scored a superb late equaliser as Dungannon Swifts heaped yet more misery on Mid-Ulster rivals Glenavon.
The struggling Lurgan side were minutes from claiming their first win of the campaign when the striker curled home a sublime strike to rescue a scarcely deserved point.
All too often this season Dungannon have complained that the quality of their performances have not been reflected in the results, and this was another such occasion.
But while it has usually been a case of falling just short after an encouraging display, this time they will acknowledge that a draw was more than their efforts merited.
Certainly Marty Quinn will wonder how his side didn’t claim all three points.
They dominated for long periods of the match, and took a fully deserved lead when Diarmuid O’Carroll scored from the penalty spot with 14 minutes remaining.
But then, with Glenavon seemingly on the brink of a first victory, McCready struck.
It was his first goal since completing a deadline day move from Institute, and capped another encouraging performance from the young forward.
McCready has given Dungannon’s attack an extra dimension, and his footwork and movement proved a handful to the visitors’ back line all afternoon.
This result keeps the pressure firmly on Quinn. He has vowed to turn things around, but it is uncertain how much time he will be given to try and resurrect the once mighty club’s fortunes.
He can, though, take many positives from this game. Glenavon dominated from the outset and had two early chances to edge ahead.
First Andy Graham swung over a cross towards Ryan Harpur, but he headed wide with an effort which should have at least hit the target.
The same two combined soon afterwards, this time Graham setting up Harpur. His 20-yard strike was much better, beating the goalkeeper but crashing back off the upright.
At the other end, veteran goalkeeper David O’Hare was making his first start of the season after an injury to regular stopper Andrew Coleman.
But it took Dungannon 32 minutes to force him into action, their first chance coming when McCready took a pass from Terry Fitzpatrick before shooting straight at O’Hare.
They came close to taking a half-time lead, however, through Shea Campbell. The striker took aim from the left side of the box but saw his clever attempt bounce off the crossbar.
Glenavon had another lucky escape early in the second half. A corner from Dermot McCaffrey was knocked on for McCready, but his close range header was cleared off the line by Harpur.
Yet the Lurgan side continued to dominate and, just after the hour mark, forced three good attempts on the Dungannon goal in as many minutes.
First Graham directed Harpur’s free-kick into the path of Mark Miskimmin but, just three yards out, the striker somehow lifted the ball over the bar.
Next Niall Henderson sent Peter McCann through on goal but he placed his shot just wide of the back post, before a stinging O’Carroll drive was beaten away by Morgan.
But Swifts’ luck would not hold, and in the 76th minute Glenavon edged ahead.
Adam McMinn fouled Henderson inside the box, resulting in a penalty. O’Carroll’s firmly struck kick gave the ‘keeper little chance.
It seemed Glenavon’s luck had finally turned – until McCready’s late equaliser.
The striker picked up possession 25 yards out and, with the visitors’ defence backing off, he curled a sublime strike past O’Hare to rescue a point.
A stunning strike from Dermot McCaffrey helped ease the pressure on Dungannon Swifts as they claimed a crucial victory in West Belfast.
The defender has earned a reputation for scoring spectacular goals and added another to his personal collection with a brilliant 25-yard effort against Donegal Celtic.
This was only Dungannon’s second win of the campaign, but was thoroughly deserved after an encouraging performance against this season’s surprise package.
The Hoops have claimed some impressive scalps, including wins over Glentoran and Crusaders, but were handicapped by the absence of several key players on Saturday.
McCaffrey’s 25th minute goal was the highlight of a first half which ended in ugly scenes after Celtic midfielder Niall Atkinson was sent off for a reckless tackle.
Although the home side upped their performance after half time, Michael Ward killed off the game in the closing minutes when he scored from the penalty spot.
That goal – his first of the campaign – is bound to lift the striker’s confidence, as will another clean sheet for young goalkeeper Niall Morgan.
The win takes Swifts six points clear of basement side Glenavon, who are the next visitors to Stangmore Park.
Dixie Robinson will be desperate to build on this victory – Swifts have found back-to-back wins hard to come by – to keep the pressure on their Mid-Ulster neighbours.
So far this season Dungannon’s best performances have come in the latter stages of games, but this time they impressed at the outset.
That was despite an early back injury to Johnny Topley which forced Robinson to reshape his midfield, with Michael Funston drafted off the bench.
And the substitute could have scored with his first touch. The DC goalkeeper dropped a cross from Craig McClean on Funston’s head, but he had little time to react and the ball fell safely before being hacked clear by the home defence.
Robert Robinson, fortunate that his error had not been punished, somewhat redeemed himself with a good save to block PJ Lavery’s low strike soon afterwards.
But there was nothing he could do about McCaffrey’s stunning opener.
Picking up the ball in midfield, the defender unleashed a 25-yard drive which had pace and accuracy, leaving the ‘keeper helpless as it arrowed into the top corner.
The home side had entered the match badly weakened by the loss of Ryan Henderson and Paul McVeigh, who were both out through suspension.
And their absence was sorely felt throughout the 90 minutes, with DC’s attack lacking the cohesion and potency which is normally brought by the pair.
The Hoops’ best chance of the half came from Atkinson, who also entered the match early after an injury to Johnny Harkness. Darren Murray redirected a throw-in towards his feet but, six yards out, the midfielder pulled his shot wide of the target.
His afternoon soon got worse, however. As the game entered stoppage time, Atkinson lunged two-footed at PJ Lavery, resulting in a straight red card.
But if Dungannon thought that would signal a comfortable afternoon, they were badly mistaken.
Donegal Celtic came storming back in the early minutes of the second half, forcing three good efforts on the visitors’ goal in as many minutes.
First Eamon McAllister tested Morgan, forcing the goalkeeper to divert his strike wide, before Jonathan Gowdy’s header was blocked on the line.
But their best chance fell to Murray, who broke clear only to see his stinging strike brilliantly beaten away by Morgan as he closed in on the target.
The introduction of Joe McCready provided Dungannon with fresh legs in attack, and he displayed flashes of skill in an encouraging 35-minute cameo.
He also had a chance to open his Swifts’ account but was just unable to get his head to a Ryan O’Neill delivery which swept across the six-yard box.
There were still reminders of the DC threat, however.
A corner found Darren McNamee but he headed wide at the back post, while Gowdy’s driven effort got past Morgan but rebounded off the upright.
Dungannon made sure of the points with a second goal late on. Mark Burns was penalised for handling inside the box, and Ward scored from the spot.
There is now a wide range of merchandise available to order.
All of the kit is available on home match days before, during and after matches in club shop (old changing rooms). You can check out what all is available, try on and check for sizes and place your order. Otherwise orders can be placed through Darren Boyd (07764615477) or any member of the supporters club.
Team Shirt – £27 / £22 (with name & Number £32 / £28)
