NO SWIFTS EXECUTION

O’connor on target to ensure Shiels’ side stay in the top flight at Annagh’s expense

MICHAEL O’CONNOR popped up with another crucial goal to preserve Dungannon Swifts’ Premiership status at the expense of Annagh United.

The striker, who netted the winner in the vital league win over Portadown in April, came off the bench to put the Swifts 3-2 in front on aggregate with 20 minutes to go.

It was a deserved win for Dean Shiels’ men on the night who never looked back after Ethan Mcgee’s 13th minute opener levelled the tie.

Shiels was far from happy with his side’s 2-1 defeat in the first leg, and that was evident as he made five changes to the starting XI as Ryan Mayse, Joe Moore, Padraig Lynch, Gerardo Bruna and Ryan Donnelly came in.

There was only one change for the visitors as Ryan Moffatt replaced Ryan Harpur.

The hosts almost made the perfect start as Mayse sent Moore racing through on goal with six minutes on the clock, but the forward’s powerful shot was palmed away by Joel Little.

But it was to be lucky 13 as within seven minutes they were level in the tie, and in some style as Marc Walsh teed up Mcgee (inset) on the edge of the box, who fired into the top corner past the helpless Little.

Another great chance for the hosts went begging on 26 minutes as they missed a glorious opportunity to go back in front on aggregate as Ruddy’s long ball was missed by Paul Finnegan allowing Mayse to race through on goal, but he snatched at his shot, screwing it well wide of the target.

The Swifts were well on top and as we moved towards half-time Mayse found the side netting with a first-time effort from inside the box. They were nearly punished for their profligacy in front of goal though as Nathan Kerr picked out Jordan Campbell from a set-piece, but he headed straight at Declan Dunne. Annagh went ever so close to restoring their one-goal advantage in the 61st minute as Stephen Murray’s excellent through ball sent Craig Taylor clear.

He cut back towards goal before being crowded out, the ball was only cleared as far as Gerard Storey on the edge of the box, and his first-time effort whistled over the bar with Dunne at full stretch.

With 20 minutes to go there was to be another decisive moment as Dungannon grabbed a second to retake the lead in the tie again.

Substitute O’connor timed his run to perfection to race in on the Annagh goal from Mayse’s through ball, sitting Little down before coolly lobbing home to cue wild scenes of celebration in the home support.

Right at the death Dunne produced two stunning saves to deny Campbell and Taylor a late equaliser.