Sweet sixteen for the battling Swifts

DUNGANNON SWIFTS stretched their unbeaten league run to 16 games after this hard earned draw.

Having dominated for almost an hour Swifts had to come from behind to take a point.

The home side took a well deserved lead in the ninth minute.

David Scullion took a pass on the right side and after giving his marker the slip he rifled a low shot to the bottom left corner.

Micky Ward looked set to double the advantage four minutes later when he was released by Darren Murphy but a superb slid-ing challenge from Paul Muir ended the move.

Scullion kept the pressure on for Swifts and had several further chances on goal.

In the 25th minute he had the final touch on a JP Gallagher corner but his flick was easily dealt with by Phillip Matthews.

Ten minutes later the Swifts winger took the ball to the edge of the box but this time his 20 yard shot fell wide of the left post.

The Whites failed to bring a save from Swifts keeper Gavin Cushley before the interval.

But they were a different side in the second half and levelled in the 64th minute.

Ryan McCann won the ball in the middle, put Darren Armour in on goal and the Whites striker made no mistake.

Dungannon struggled after losing their lead and in the 76th minute the visitors took the lead when Armour fed John Martin.

Under close attention from his marker the Distillery substitute sliced a shot from the penalty spot to the bottom right corner.

Dungannon burst into life in the final ten minutes and deservedly levelled the tie with eight minutes remaining.

Terry Fitzpatrick scored a stunning equaliser, his diving header on a cross from Kevin Keegan giving Matthews no chance.

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Cushley, Wray, Gallagher, Fanththorpe, McMinn, Fitz-patrick, McCabe, Murphy, Adamson, Ward, Scullion.

Subs: Delgado, Keegan, McAllister.

LISBURN DISTILLERY: Matthews, McKeown, Thompson, McCann, Coffey, Muir, Kilmartin, Dickson, Armstrong, Armour, Murphy.

Subs: Willis, Martin, McLaughlin.

Referee: Robert Penney (Carrickfergus).