A poor performance contributed to the sense of frustration as Dungannon Swifts slumped to their third defeat of the season at Glentoran.
Mark Miskimmin was the match-winner with a second half header as the Glens secured their first win in five games.
But it was a disappointing afternoon for Dungannon, made worse by a lacklustre display which failed to seriously exploit the growing unease gripping the Oval.
Dungannon started poorly, falling behind after nine minutes. Although they equalised through Jamie Douglas, they were second best for most of the afternoon.
Gareth Buchanan made several good saves to keep the score level before Miskimmin finally applied a cutting edge to the Glens’ play.
In the end it could have been even more convincing.
Jason Hill missed a late penalty on his 300th Glentoran appearance before somehow firing wide of an open goal in stoppage time.
This was Dungannon’s third defeat of the season, having previously lost at Ballymena and Portadown.
While failures at the Oval or Shamrock Park are no disgrace, in both cases fans left knowing Swifts could have taken something if they had produced a better performance.
Dungannon had arrived in expectation rather than hope, but it took just nine minutes for that optimism to be dashed.
Miskimmin delivered a searching cross which the goalkeeper perhaps should have claimed, and Marcus Kane beat Shane Mulgrew to the ball to head home from close range.
Dungannon were handed another warning minutes later. Jay Magee was first to Stephen McAlorum’s corner but glanced his header just wide.
But they levelled in the 17thminute with a goal almost identical to the Glens’ opener.
Darren Boyce was the architect, sending over a cross from the right flank and Douglas edged out Mark Clarke to head the equaliser.
However, it was Boyce’s last act on his return to the Oval, with the former Glens striker departing soon afterwards with an injury.
Glentoran’s two Clarkes both went close with efforts from distance.
A powerful 25-yard drive by Mark Clarke was deflected fractionally wide, before namesake Richard worked the goalkeeper from outside the box.
But their best chance of a goal came in the 30th minute.
Ryan O’Neill teed up Kane and his shot was blocked by Fra Brennan. The ball broke to Richard Clarke but he was denied by the goalkeeper.
They went close again when the ball was slipped through to Jim O’Hanlon, but he placed a low shot the wrong side of the far post.
Dungannon had chances either side of the interval without seriously troubling Elliott Morris.
Matt Hazley, making his first start since August, failed with an ambitious effort while Stefan Lavery couldn’t take advantage of Michael McKerr’s cross.
But Glentoran carried the greater threat and finally found a way through in the 55th minute.
Richard Clarke played the ball out wide to Hill on the left, and Miskimmin got between Brennan and Dermot McCaffrey to head home his cross.
The Glens should have added to their lead in the closing stages.
A free-kick from McAlorum picked out Jimmy Callacher but the former Swifts midfielder saw his header come back off the crossbar.
They were also awarded a penalty when Jordan Stewart was tripped by McCaffrey. However, Buchanan added to an already impressive performance by guessing correctly and saving the kick.
But their best chance came in stoppage time. Buchanan went forward for a free-kick and, when it broke down, Glentoran countered with Hill somehow shooting wide of the open goal.
GLENTORAN: Morris, O’Neill, Kane, R Clarke, Addis, Magee (Hill, 29), Callacher, O’Hanlon (McGuigan, 89), McAlorum, M Clarke, Miskimmin (Stewart, 75)
Subs not used: Bradley, Henderson
DGN SWIFTS: Buchanan, McKerr (Hutchinson, 57), Brennan, McCaffrey, Mulgrew, Harpur, Hazley (Doyle, 75), Fitzpatrick, McCullough, Boyce (S Lavery, 22), Douglas
Subs not used: Copeland, Glackin
Referee: Ross Dunlop (Carrick)