Another crucial point saw Dungannon Swifts edge ever closer to safety as Donegal Celtic’s survival hopes suffered another severe blow.
A game high on tension but low on quality finished with Dungannon still 12 points ahead of the danger zone and on the verge of survival.
They need just three more points to guarantee what most know already – that they will be playing top division football again next season.
Saturday’s game was one neither side could afford to lose, and the pressure seemed to tell at times.
The match itself was a forgettable affair, producing few chances or incidents of note.
DC midfielder Sean Cleary came closest to snatching a winner with a 25-yard drive which struck the woodwork late in the first half.
Now the focus turns to the second round of Easter fixtures tomorrow.
Dungannon host Glenavon knowing a win will secure survival, while Donegal Celtic will go bottom if they lose at fellow strugglers Lisburn Distillery.
The build-up to Saturday’s game was overshadowed by a player registration row which ended with Pat McAllister’s side being stripped of three points.
Cleary, the player at the centre of the controversy, was named in their line-up while there was also a start for former Swifts player Stephen O’Neill.
The early chances fell to Dungannon and Stefan Lavery drew an early save from the goalkeeper when he met a free-kick from Neal Gawley.
The same two players combined minutes later, Lavery heading another Gawley set-piece towards Terry Fitzpatrick, but the midfielder was unable to force the ball home.
Fitzpatrick put his hands to his head, knowing that a great chance had slipped away.
DC’s first chance came when Mark Miskimmin got past Johnny Montgomery, but his snapshot from a demanding angle was blocked by the ‘keeper.
Miskimmin then turned provider as he chased and won a ball and switched the play to O’Neill, but his shot lacked the power or accuracy to beat Jonny Curran.
It perhaps came as no surprise from a player who struggled to make an impact during his brief spell with Dungannon earlier in the campaign.
But the visitors’ best effort came with the final kick of the first half, Cleary’s powerful drive crashing back off the left post.
The game continued to disappoint in the second half.
Some neat control from James Costello created a rare chance but he was denied by Mark Burns’ perfectly-timed tackle. Grant Hutchinson’s follow-up strike was deflected wide.
Dungannon’s best spell came in the final 10 minutes.
First PJ Lavery played the ball in to Matt Hazley but the midfielder failed to take advantage, much to the frustration of manager Darren Murphy who punched the air on the touchline.
Then Costello exchanged passes with Hazley and ran through on goal, but John Connolly made a superb save to divert his shot wide.
The home side thought they had won it in stoppage time when Costello set up Hazley, but the midfielder sent his effort agonisingly wide of goal.
It was that sort of afternoon, but a point will surely be enough for Dungannon.
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, McKerr, Montgomery, McMinn (PJ Lavery, 74), Grieve, S Lavery (C Lavery, 89), Costello, Hazley, Gawley (O’Neill, 64), Fitzpatrick, Hutchinson
Subs not used: Douglas, Glackin
DONEGAL CELTIC: Connolly, McCann, Bradley (M Burns, 27), C Burns, McShane, McAreavey, Downey (Deans, 67), Cleary, Gargan, Miskimmin (Hughes, 61), O’Neill
Subs not used: Devine, Bannon
Referee: Ian McNabb (Newtownabbey)
