A delighted Josh Cahoon celebrates after scoring in the second minute of injury time.
The substitute scored two minutes into added time as the Tyrone side avoided a third consecutive defeat at The Showgrounds.
Just as against Portadown a fortnight earlier, the gamble of bringing Cahoon off the bench as a makeshift striker paid off big time for Dungannon.
The equaliser was just about deserved, although Ballymena boss Glenn Ferguson will be bitterly disappointed that his players did not see the game out.
They looked to be on course for a third win of the new campaign when David Cushley fired them into an 82nd minute lead.
But Cahoon, drafted off the bench midway through the second half, slotted home in the closing stages after a free-kick had not been cleared.
Neither ‘keeper will want to see a replay of their hand in the goals, with both strikes finding the net perhaps a little too easily.
That aside, this was a much improved performance from Swifts’ previous game against Glentoran.
Ballymena have made an encouraging start to the season but struggled to break down a well-organised Dungannon line-up.
The only setback for head coaches Darren Murphy and Rodney McAree was another injury worry.
Midfielder Jamie Glackin, handed his first start after impressing against the Glens, was stretchered off and joins an ever-growing casualty list at the club.
Glackin was one of four changes to the team with Murphy also making a rare start at left-back. Adam McMinn and Stefan Lavery were both recalled.
A goalless opening half was not without chances, and both goalkeepers were called into action.
Niall Morgan’s first test came via a long-range Tony Kane free-kick, awarded after a foul by Ryan O’Neill, but the ball was safely collected.
Stefan Lavery battles to keep the possession despite the best efforts of Ballymena to cut him down.
More difficult was Swifts’ first attempt on target. A cross from Murphy found Terry Fitzpatrick, but his strike was impressively blocked by Dwayne Nelson.
The busiest member of the Dungannon panel was undoubtedly physio Steven Symington.
He was called into action after 30 minutes to treat McMinn, while Lavery and Glackin also needed treatment – the latter’s ankle injury of most concern.
In terms of the match itself, Morgan produced two impressive saves in as many minutes.
The first came from a Davidson shot which appeared to be going wide, but the ‘keeper had to thrust out a glove to ensure it didn’t sneak into his far corner.
Then a quick free-kick found Aaron Stewart and he crossed to Gary Thompson, whose volley was again superbly blocked by Morgan.
Davidson was causing problems for Dungannon and a finely-crafted delivery to the back post found Allan Jenkins, but his effort went wide.
A lacklustre second half burst into life in the 72nd minute.
Cushley’s free-kick was spilled by the goalkeeper and hammered into the net by David Munster, only to be ruled out for offside.
Morgan redeemed that error moments later, however, stretching himself to tip Johnny Taylor’s header away from the top corner from another free-kick.
But it seemed his efforts would be in vain when Ballymena snatched an 84th minute lead.
Alan Teggart latched on to a goal kick and laid the ball off for Cushley, whose left-foot shot seemed to beat the ‘keeper a little too easily at his near post.
A dejected McAree turned and shook his head on the touchline.
Yet, not for the first time this season, Dungannon would come fighting back.
Deep in stoppage time a free-kick was touched on by Johnny Topley, with Nelson unable to prevent Cahoon’s close-range strike from finding the net.
BALLYMENA UNITED: Nelson, Kane, Stewart, Thompson (Surgenor, 80), Taggart, Jenkins, Cushley, Munster, Taylor, Davidson (Teggart, 52), McCabe (Baker, 52)
Subs not used: Black, Rodgers
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, Murphy (C Lavery 84), Montgomery, McMinn, Fitzpatrick, Hazley, S O’Neill (Cahoon, 69), S Lavery, R O’Neill, Topley, Glackin (S Friars, 53)
Subs not used: Curran, Brennan
Referee: Ross Dunlop (Carrickfergus)
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