Joshua Cahoon beats the Portadown Keeper David Miskelly, only for the oncoming Ross Redman to deny him,
He may not have been the most high-profile signing of the summer, but Josh Cahoon is rapidly making his mark on the Danske Bank Premiership.
The young striker scored for the fourth successive match as Dungannon Swifts claimed a highly-credible point at Mid-Ulster rivals Portadown.
A former Linfield reserve player, Cahoon spent last season in the relative obscurity of the IFA Championship before his switch to Stangmore Park.
And it hasn’t taken long for the 21-year-old to adapt to the demands of top level football, scoring eight times in 13 appearances so far this term.
Cahoon underlined his fast-growing reputation with another crucial goal on Saturday as Dungannon collected a much-merited point against the Ports.
These sides have served up some classic games down the years and, while this didn’t produce the goal tally of previous meetings, it was no less entertaining.
Dungannon edged ahead through Cahoon’s early strike, but a controversial penalty saw Portadown draw level soon afterwards.
The visitors dominated the second half with Cahoon, Cameron Grieve, Matt Hazley and Johnny Topley all coming close to snatching a winner.
Undoubtedly Ronnie McFall will be the more relieved of the two managers, with his players fortunate to escape a one-sided match with a point.
And while it is another game without a win for Dungannon – their ninth in a row – on the basis of this performance that wait will end soon.
They made a great start when Cahoon opened the scoring in the 16th minute.
It followed good approach play from Chris Lavery, with Hazley allowing his pull-back to reach Cahoon who slotted home with a side-foot finish.
But Portadown have scored in every home game this season, so it was little surprise when they equalised just eight minutes later.
Niall Morgan was harshly ruled to have brought down Ross Redman as he chased a Neil McCafferty pass, resulting in a penalty being awarded.
If the decision was unconvincing, Darren Murray’s spot kick was anything but, with the striker powering his effort beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.
That aside, Morgan seemed back to his best after some shaky performances in recent matches.
A good early block to deny McCafferty was the perfect confidence booster, while he also kept his focus to hold Kevin Braniff’s powerful strike later in the half.
But his best save came eight minutes from the break. Braniff took a pass from Murray and burst into the box, with Morgan saving impressively with his feet.
Dungannon seized control of the game in the second half.
David Miskelly made the first of several important saves when he stretched out a glove to push Grieve’s effort away from the top corner.
Then Cahoon directed Emmet Friars’ pass into the path of Hazley, but his low drive was blocked by the Ports ‘keeper.
An ambitious 30-yard volley from Cahoon went narrowly wide while Topley powered a header just over after escaping his marker at a corner.
Dungannon were twice denied by goal-line interventions from Redman.
He blocked Friars’ header before making a match-saving tackle after Cahoon had rounded the goalkeeper and seemed certain to convert.
Kevin Braniff prevents Emmet Friars from gaining any height in the box for what was the Swifts last chance of the game.
Portadown’s best period came late in the game. Braniff tested Morgan with a free-kick while Redman sent another set-piece crashing into the wall.
But it was home supporters who were more relieved to hear the final whistle – and not just because of the plummeting temperatures.
PORTADOWN: Miskelly, Mackle (Lecky, 85), Redman, O’Hara, Murray, Braniff, Mouncey (McNeill, 67), Casement, Gartland, McCafferty, Patton (Tomelty, 54)
Subs not used: McArdle, Burns,
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, R O’Neill, Grieve, E Friars, Brennan, Gawley (S Lavery, 65), Topley, Harpur, C Lavery, Hazley (Glackin, 74), Cahoon
Subs not used: S O’Neill, Montgomery, Fitzpatrick
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
