It won’t win any goal of the season competition, but it could go a long, long way towards securing the far greater prize of Premiership survival.
When Dermot McCaffrey scores it is often spectacular and always memorable.
His dramatic equaliser in the closing seconds of this relegation scrap at Mourneview Park fits, if not into the former, then certainly the latter category.
From two yards out rather than his normal 20-plus range, it was enough to rescue what could yet prove a priceless point against the league’s basement club.
And it proved the end for Marty Quinn, who stepped down just hours after the chance of a rare win was snatched away in the closing stages by Dungannon – for the second time this season.
Just like the reverse game at Stangmore Park in September, the Lurgan Blues were on the verge of a victory which would have lifted them off the bottom.
But then McCaffrey struck to shatter their hopes.
The goalkeeper failed to claim a corner from Shea McGerrigan and Stefan Lavery flicked the ball on for the defender, who slotted home at the back post.
It leaves Glenavon still rooted to the foot of the league and now without a manager, following the resignation of Quinn on Saturday night.
No more excuses, he had insisted earlier in the week, describing this as “must-win”. Yet it was another of those could have, should have afternoons.
His side were less than two minutes from victory and, with a bit more composure and quality, would surely have added to Jay Magee’s first half opener.
Instead, it was another game which slipped away. And with it, Quinn’s tenure at Mourneview Park.
“Glenavon FC deserves to be in a better position than where it is at the moment,” he said afterwards.
For Dungannon, this was a timely confidence boost ahead of a difficult December.
Challenging games against Cliftonville, Coleraine and Crusaders await in the coming weeks, highlighting the importance Dixie Robinson had placed on this fixture.
His side did not deserve to lose, on the basis that neither of the teams merited all three points from a dismal match which was sorely lacking in quality.
Typically, it was a scrappy goal which broke the deadlock, coming via a free-kick.
Conor Hagan rolled the ball to Magee whose powerful shot took a heavy deflection off Ryan McCluskey, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance.
Otherwise it was a grim spectacle, predictably low on entertainment value.
There was controversy when Stefan Lavery was sent flying by Kyle Neill, but the offence went unpunished – one of several questionable decisions by the referee.
Dungannon, playing against a strong wind, also showed signs of nerves at the back.
A misplaced pass resulted in Diarmuid O’Carroll forcing a good block from Niall Morgan. Another giveaway allowed Niall Henderson to find Conor Hagan, but his shot went blazing over.
Dungannon’s main threat came at either end of the half.
Early on PJ Lavery forced the ‘keeper into action while in the closing minutes Johnny Topley’s corner flashed dangerously across goal and Michael Ward’s back-post effort was blocked.
Yet they continued to look vulnerable in defence and almost conceded again five minutes into the second half.
Another misplaced pass presented the ball to Mark Miskimmin in the box and he set up Henderson, whose thundering strike smashed off the underside of the crossbar.
Later Andy Graham weaved his way into the box but couldn’t get his shot away. The ball reached Henderson who miscued, with Ciaran Doherty finally forcing the ‘keeper into action.
Glenavon – with just two league wins and one clean sheet all season – predictably grew nervous and began backing off, with Dungannon enjoying more and more possession.
O’Carroll could have sealed the points on the counter-attack, but sent his effort inches wide after taking control of a long kick-out from David O’Hare.
But, just as it looked like they would hold on, Dungannon struck the equaliser – shattering Glenavon and signalling the end of the road for Quinn.
GLENAVON: O’Hare, Shannon, Neill, J Magee, Henderson (Harpur, 88), O’Carroll, Miskimmin (Kelbie, 86), Hagan, Doherty, Turkington, Graham (D Magee, 72)
Subs not used: Davidson, McGonnell
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, McCluskey, Montgomery, McCaffrey, McClean (McCready, 77), Funston (McKerr, 69), Fitzpatrick, Topley, PJ Lavery (McGerrigan, 77), S Lavery, Ward
Subs not used: McMinn, Murphy
Referee: Raymond Hetherington (Dungannon)
