There was no repeat of the previous week’s 11-goal massacre – but that is the only consolation Dungannon Swifts will take from this defeat.
One of the fastest strikes of the season helped Portadown to a narrow but deserved victory in this Mid-Ulster derby at Shamrock Park.
The game was won and lost in the opening 30 minutes as a shocking start from Dungannon was ruthlessly punished by Ronnie McFall’s men.
Darren Murray struck after 47 seconds and then Kevin Braniff doubled the lead just past the half-hour to put the home side in control.
Both goals came from shocking defensive lapses, and it was only at 2-0 down that Swifts finally got their act together.
Jamie Douglas reduced the deficit and came close to levelling with a 30-yard effort, while David Miskelly also made some great saves.
Darren Murphy will be particularly disappointed, having pledged his side would make it difficult for Portadown in the build-up to the game.
The Ports had hit 11 goals in their previous outing, albeit there was never any danger of a repeat against a Dungannon side, who – that dismal first 30 minutes aside – proved a real handful.
Some visiting fans may just have feared the worst after that nightmare start, however.
No doubt Murphy’s final words to his players would have been to frustrate Portadown and keep things tight for the opening few minutes.
But all his preparations went out the window after 47 seconds as the Ports picked up where they had left off against Ballinamallard.
A mistake from Ricky Copeland gifted possession to Braniff and he set up Murray, who floated a fabulous effort over the helpless goalkeeper.
Another defensive error let in Gary Twigg soon afterwards, but he slid his effort wide.
Dungannon’s first chance fell to Stefan Lavery. He took possession inside the box but his near-post drive was turned wide.
After a very nervous start, the visitors had settled and were working their way back into the match – and then disaster struck.
A long ball sliced through the Swifts’central defence and Braniff took full advantage by prodding home with his left foot.
It was looking grim for Dungannon, but Douglas’s goal handed them a much-needed lifeline. A cross from the right wing picked out the striker, whose low, left-footed drive found the net.
And they were almost level moments later. An audacious 20-yard lob from Douglas struck the crossbar and fell perfectly for McCullough, but he was twice denied by the goalkeeper.
It was now a very different game, and Miskelly made another splendid save to turn Darren Boyce’s 25-yard pile-driver wide.
Lavery landed an effort on target from distance, while between those chances Braniff had a strike pushed clear.
Swifts threatened straight from the restart when McCullough crossed to Douglas, but his back-post strike was comfortably saved.
They also had a huge slice of luck when a blatant foul by Michael McKerr on Aaron Trainor inside the box went unpunished – much to the fury of McFall on the sideline.
Dungannon also had cause for complaint when Lavery appeared to be tripped in the box by Emmet Friars – again nothing was given.
However, the quality and intensity of attacking play had somewhat subsided, with neither goalkeeper being seriously tested.
Tim Mouncey curled an effort over while Braniff’s cross-shot flashed dangerous across goal.
The home side almost wrapped the game up when Braniff set up Ryan McStay, but he pulled his effort inches wide of the target.
PORTADOWN: Miskelly, Casement, Breen, McMahon, Braniff, Murray (Mouncey, 16), McCafferty, Friars, Twigg, Trainor, McStay
Subs not used: Brennan, McConnell, Judge, Rooney
DGN SWIFTS: Buchanan, McKerr (Doyle, 65), Copeland (Brennan, 65), McCaffrey, Mulgrew, McCullough, Harpur, Fitzpatrick, Douglas, Boyce, S Lavery (Glackin, 81)
Subs not used: Hutchinson, Costello
Referee: Andrew Davey (Belfast)