Dungannon Swifts...................................... 2
Linfield......................................................... 2
By Adrian Rutherford
Ten-man Dungannon Swifts let a two-goal advantage slip against the league leaders in an extraordinary game at Stangmore Park.
This was a match which had everything, including four terrific goals, a controversial red card and a sideline scuffle between the managers.
It ended with Linfield still three points clear at the head of the table, while Dungannon remain well placed in the top half at the halfway stage.
However it was the referee who stole the headlines, sending off Swifts' Andrew Ferguson before ordering Dixie Robinson and David Jeffrey to the stands.
The mist which enveloped the ground was firmly of the red variety as the game exploded into life midway through the second half, sparked by a poor challenge from Ferguson on Jamie Mulgrew.
David Malcolm was initially about to raise a yellow card but was approached by his assistant, Eamon Shanks. Apparently acting on his assistant's advice, the referee then produced a red card and sent Ferguson from the pitch.
Robinson was furious and became involved in an altercation with Linfield boss Jeffrey, leading to both being sent from the touchline.
On the pitch, Linfield staged a stunning comeback to rescue a point having trailed to goals from Shane Coney and Timmy Adamson.
Paul Munster reduced the deficit before Douglas headed home four minutes from the end to rescue a point for the battling Blues.
Despite that setback, this was still an impressive performance by Dungannon and their young goalkeeper, Niall Morgan. He was making his first league start in place of Alvin Rouse, who was absent after being handed a two-game ban.
Linfield were also without their regular goalkeeper, meaning Stuart Addis continued to deputise between the posts. And the former Dungannon player made a big impression with two outstanding saves in the opening 45 minutes.
The first came in the 25th minute when he stretched out a hand to prevent Neil McCafferty's excellent free-kick creeping into the top corner.
Three minutes later Addis made another fine save, this time denying Coney after a cross from Craig McClean had been touched into his path.
At the other end Morgan was also impressing, his best save a great block to deny Mark Miskimmin. The striker ran on to Mulgrew's long pass, holding off Ryan Mullan, but saw his effort beaten out by the goalkeeper.
Linfield had started brightly with Douglas spurning two early chances, including an effort which was tipped over the bar by Morgan. Then minutes later he met a corner from Michael Carvill but headed wide from six yards.
Jim Ervin saw his effort blocked on the line by Johnny Montgomery while Ferguson just failed to connect with Ryan McIlmoyle's cross.
However the best chance came in the 30th minute. Mulgrew's effort beat Morgan but came back off the post while Billy Joe Burns' follow-up was blocked. Finally Carvill's strike was claimed by the goalkeeper to relieve the pressure.
The game really came to life in the second half with Coney breaking the deadlock two minutes after the restart. He picked up possession from McCafferty's free-kick, turning his marker and sliding the ball into the bottom corner.
Ferguson headed over from McCafferty's corner while substitute Mark McAllister couldn't convert Damien Curran's cross, then Swifts doubled their lead.
And what a goal it was as Adamson picked up possession and ghosted past three players, capping a wonderful run by slotting past the goalkeeper.
It was looking grim for Linfield but they hit back within five minutes to give themselves hope. Munster attacked a terrific cross from Burns, planting a powerful header beyond Morgan.
Then came the game's turning point, a dreadful challenge from Ferguson which sparked scuffles both on and off the pitch. It ended with Dungannon down to 10 men and both managers having to watch the rest of the match from the stands.
Linfield sensed an equaliser and the impressive Mulgrew came so close to levelling, curling a 25-yard effort inches over the crossbar.
Morgan saved on the line after Munster connected with Philip Lowry's corner, while Burns went close with a volley from distance.
And the equaliser came with four minutes remaining, Douglas capitalising on dreadful marking to head home Jamie Tomelty's corner.
Yet Dungannon could and should have stolen the points in stoppage time. McIlmoyle supplied a terrific ball across the box but Coney, under pressure from Kris Lindsay, couldn't make proper contact from three yards out.
