Lowe the hero as Swifts sink Portadown

Irish Premiership Portadown 0 - 1 Dungannon Swifts FT Dungannon Swifts hung on for a well-deserved 1-0 win over Portadown thanks to a Kris Lowe winner at Shamrock Park. The victory is Rodney McAree's first in charge of the Swifts this season, while David Jeffrey awaits his first point - or goal - since his return to management with the Ports. Almost immediately from the kick-off, Dungannon were straight through on goal, but Sean McAllister's low effort was well saved by Aaron McCarey in the Portadown goal. After some sustained pressure, the Swifts opened the scoring on 14 minutes. McCarey picked up a close pass from his team-mate inside the area and an indirect free-kick was awarded. Jamie Glackin popped the ball to McAllister who fired the ball towards goal. McCarey could only parry into the path of Lowe who fired high into the net from five yards. Portadown grew into the game and almost got back on level terms four minutes before the interval when Baris Altintop smashed the ball off the right-hand upright from an acute angle, but it stayed 1-0 to the visitors at the break. The first chance of the second half fell the way of the hosts and it was danger-man James Teelan. Conor Falls won a header on the edge of the area that fell to Teelan and he fired in an effort from 20 yards that whistled over the bar. On 66 minutes, Dungannon should have doubled their lead when Andrew Mitchell rounded McCarey in goal but as he chased the ball into the net, Rhys Breen recovered fantastically to swipe the ball away for a corner. With five minutes remaining, tempers flared and five bookings were awarded in the space of two minutes as things threatened to boil over, but there would be no fairytale finish for David Jeffrey. What they said Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree: "It is never an easy game when you come to Shamrock, especially when it's David Jeffrey's first home game in charge. "We showed great fight and determination to keep a clean sheet and leave with three points. "The big thing for me is getting points on the board because it took us six games last year," Portadown boss David Jeffrey: "Our first two games, I felt, were very much going to show just exactly where we are at. "It's learning and it's good learning, but it is also tough learning. "Today, Dungannon were sharper on one occasion and they got the goal and deserved to get the three points."