It was another late, late show from Dungannon Swifts as their unbeaten start to the league season survived a major test against Portadown.
An injury-time goal from summer signing Joshua Cahoon salvaged a draw for the Tyrone side after a disappointing Mid-Ulster derby on Friday night.
The young defender started out his career as a striker, and showed his ability in the final third with a quality finish to shatter the Ports’ hopes of victory.
They had led through Darren Murray’s 81st minute strike, and may feel aggrieved not to have left Stangmore Park with all three points.
Those final dramatic minutes somewhat compensated for what was otherwise a poor affair.
This fixture has served up some classic games in recent seasons, but this was not one of them with little goalmouth action during a dire 90 minutes.
Portadown had the best of the few chances that were fashioned, albeit without causing Swifts’ goalkeeper Jonny Curran many problems.
Indeed, their goal owed more to poor defending and a lack of concentration than good play.
A set-piece from Kevin Braniff struck the Dungannon wall but no-one reacted as Braniff fed the ball back in, and Murray converted with a rasping strike.
However, just as against Cliftonville in their last home league match, the blow sparked Swifts into life, culminating in that dramatic equaliser.
A final, frantic surge forward ended with a long ball finding Cahoon in the box, and he took control before slotting home with a low effort.
Undoubtedly Swifts will be the happier team, albeit neither side really did enough to merit victory.
After shuffling their side – and then losing – against Coagh United on Monday, it was all change once more for Dungannon.
They made eight changes, including recalls for Grant Hutchinson, Michael McKerr and Stephen O’Neill.
And it was O’Neill who had their first chance. A slip by Keith O’Hara allowed him through on goal, but the striker lifted his effort over the crossbar. With a bit more composure – he had time and space – he could have done better.
Earlier, Portadown threatened when Chris Casement made a run from deep, but Braniff’s low strike was easily blocked by the goalkeeper.
Adam McMinn headed well wide from a corner for Swifts while at the other end a long-range Sean Mackle strike flashed over the crossbar.
The only other chance of note in a poor half came when Ross Redman fed the ball wide to Braniff, whose angled strike was blocked by the ‘keeper.
Portadown took charge in the second period and created several decent openings, albeit they often lacked an end product.
An example came when Joe McNeill eased through the home defence, only to plant his final shot well wide of the back post.
Then towards the end a corner from McNeill was directed back across goal but Brian Gartland, a few yards out, somehow headed over.
The one moment of danger for the Ports came when Redman appeared to handle a cross from McKerr in the box, however, nothing was given.
It seemed the game was destined to finish in a stalemate – until the late drama.
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, R O’Neill (Brennan, 53), McMinn, E Friars, Grieve (Cahoon, 68), Gawley (S Friars, 84), Fitzpatrick, Hutchinson, Hazley, S O’Neill, McKerr
Subs not used: S Lavery, Topley
PORTADOWN: Miskelly, Mackle, Redman, Breen, Murray, Braniff, McNeill, Casement (Lecky, 61), Gartland, O’Hara, McCafferty
Subs not used: McArdle, Burns, Adams, McLellan
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
Full set of Match photos in the Gallery section of our website.
