There was a time this season when Dungannon Swifts would finish games strongly, but suddenly they seem to have become a 45-minute team.
For the second weekend running, they allowed an early lead to slip as Linfield claimed what ultimately proved a comfortable victory.
The damage was done in the second half as goals from Gary Browne, Philip Lowry and Mark McAllister secured the points.
But it was a hugely frustrating afternoon for Darren Murphy.
He could only watch as a promising performance from his side, marked by Ryan Harpur’s 20th minute opener, rapidly unravelled in the second half.
It contrasts with the early stages of the campaign when Dungannon secured some vital results by scoring late goals, including a stoppage-time equaliser in this fixture in October.
Instead, Saturday was a similar story to events at Glenavon seven days earlier.
Afterwards, Murphy accused some players of not giving 100%, particularly his attacking unit who he felt did not give enough support to the defence.
That was particularly evident in the second period when the central pairing of Harpur and Grant Hutchinson became overrun at times.
This was the only Premiership game of the day and an opportunity for both sides to make progress in their respective quests at the top and bottom of the league.
Ultimately it was Linfield who took that chance, cutting the gap on leaders Cliftonville to 15 points.
And while the title is realistically beyond the Blues’ grasp now, this was a reminder that they will be back stronger than ever next term.
A strong start from Linfield almost brought a goal after 15 minutes.
McAllister, operating in a deeper attacking role, supplied a cross which was touched into the path of Michael Carvill, but his low drive struck the base of the post.
The Blues have shown a weakness at the back this season, conceding 35 times before Saturday, and sloppy defending almost gifted Dungannon the lead.
A back-pass from David Armstrong caught his own ‘keeper out but Ross Glendinning reacted sharply to tip the ball away from danger.
The Blues failed to heed the warning, however, and were behind moments later.
Matt Hazley stole possession and cut in from the left. Although his powerful shot was blocked, Harpur was on hand to fire home the rebound.
But for the second weekend in succession, the lead lasted barely five minutes.
Carvill’s cross caught the home defence asleep and Brian McCaul was left free at the back post to equalise with a downward header.
The Blues could have gone ahead two minutes later through Matthew Tipton.
He beat the offside trap to collect Lowry’s clever pass, but Jonny Curran stretched out an arm to divert the ball away.
Dungannon suffered a setback just before the break when Hazley, again a driving force in midfield, was forced off through injury.
His departure was perhaps a factor in a poorer second half performance, however, those still on the pitch must take their share of the blame too.
Linfield seized control and deservedly edged ahead in the 68th minute via Browne.
Billy-Joe Burns eased past PJ Lavery and set up Browne, who swept home with a right-foot finish from just inside the box.
And the points were secured four minutes later. This time Browne was the provider, supplying a cross to Lowry, and he had time and room to control before slotting home.
McAllister proved a real handful on his return to Stangmore Park and made it 4-1 late on, converting after a cross from Ross Clarke.
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, O’Neill, Montgomery, McMinn, Grieve, Harpur, Hutchinson, Hazley (Cahoon, 46), C Lavery (Gawley, 64), PJ Lavery (McKerr, 75), Costello
Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Topley
LINFIELD: Glendinning, Armstrong, Gault (Mulgrew, 68), Murphy, Lowry, Carvill, Burns, Tipton (Browne, 41), McCaul (Clarke, 84), McAllister, Quinn
Subs not used: Hanley, Ervin
Referee: Andrew Davey (Belfast)