The champions were held at Stangmore Park as Dungannon Swifts successfully navigated arguably their toughest test of the season to date.
Another goal from Darren Boyce – his fourth in six games – secured a hard-fought but well deserved draw against Cliftonville.
Some 51 points separated these sides in the table last term but the supposed gulf in quality wasn’t evident in a game which Dungannon could have won.
They hit the crossbar early on via Jamie Douglas, while Boyce thought he’d won it with a late strike which flashed inches wide.
Cliftonville boss Tommy Breslin later branded his side’s performance as unacceptable.
It was perhaps a little harsh with the visitors recovering from a slow start to force several excellent saves from the Dungannon goalkeeper
Liam Boyce rattled the crossbar while Martin Donnelly could have nicked it when played through right at the death.
Overall, however, Dungannon were the better side for most of the game.
They had a sharper edge to their play, using the ball intelligently through midfield and down the channels, while defending solidly at the back.
The one disappointment will be a suspected hamstring injury to Cameron Grieve, which leaves him doubtful for the upcoming double-header against Glentoran and Linfield.
Both fixtures will be another big test of a fast-improving Dungannon side but, on this evidence, they are not games which should be feared.
Swifts threatened from the first whistle, almost taking a second minute lead.
Boyce crossed to Douglas but his close-range header struck the crossbar. The ball dropped for Shane Mulgrew, albeit his effort was straight at the goalkeeper.
Dungannon threatened again in the 16th minute following more good approach play from Boyce. He drifted out wide to collect a pass and crossed to Ryan Harpur, who turned well but sent his effort narrowly over.
The visitors’ first chance came via Donnelly’s corner, but Joe McNeill’s header was aimed straight at Gareth Buchanan.
Their best effort, however, came in the 21st minute, with the goalkeeper stretching out a glove to tip Liam Boyce’s terrific free-kick onto the crossbar.
Cliftonville were forced into a reshuffle following an injury to Jamie McGovern, but that aside there were signs the Reds were offering more of a threat.
First a free-kick from Donnelly looked to be creeping towards the bottom corner but Buchanan managed to tip it wide.
Then some clever footwork by Boyce took him through the home defence. However, his finish failed to match the impressive build-up, with the goalkeeper making a simple block.
The Reds carried the greater threat at the outset of the second period as well.
After Donnelly was closed out by Michael McKerr, the ball broke to Gormley but he was splendidly denied by the left hand of Buchanan.
The same two combined moments later, Gormley allowing a Stephen Garrett cross to reach Donnelly, but he was denied by the goalkeeper’s leg.
Cliftonville were growing in confidence – but then Dungannon struck.
Matt Hazley’s free-kick was needlessly parried by Conor Devlin, and Boyce bravely forced home the loose ball with a diving header.
But the lead lasted just eight minutes as Liam Boyce’s set-piece was deflected to Caldwell. His first effort struck McKerr but his second found the net.
A breathless finish saw both sides almost snatch a winner.
Darren Boyce latched on to a long Hazley pass but sent a fierce left-footed drive inches wide of the back post.
Then in stoppage time Martin Murray headed the ball on for Donnelly but he fired wide with the goal – and the victory – in his grasp.
DGN SWIFTS: Buchanan, McKerr, Brennan, McCaffrey, Grieve, McCullough (Hutchinson, 82), Fitzpatrick, Harpur, Mulgrew (Hazley, 61), Douglas (S Lavery, 66), Boyce
Subs not used: Copeland, Doyle
CLIFTONVILLE: Devlin, McGovern (Caldwell, 37), Scannell, Johnston, McNally, Garrett, Donnelly, McNeill (Curran, 61), Gormley (Murray, 86), Cosgrove, Boyce
Subs not used: McMullan, O’Carroll
Referee: Tim Marshall (Irvinestown)