IRISH LEAGUE: Andrew Mitchell double sees Dungannon claim the spoils at Shamrock Park

Portadown remain firmly wedged in a relegation dogfight following a 2-1 defeat to Dungannon Swifts.

Andrew Mitchell’s double was enough for the Swifts to claim the honours in this Mid Ulster derby at Shamrock Park.

Nathanial Ferris bagged Portadown’s reply but it couldn’t prevent Pat McGibbon’s side from falling to their fifth defeat in their last six Premiership outings.

Dungannon capitalised on a drab Portadown display in the opening half to forge ahead in the 12th minute.

Mitchell picked up possession on the right side of the area before delivering a lofted ball into the box that sailed over David Miskelly and into the far corner of the net.

Miskelly almost gifted the Swifts a second goal in the 22nd minute when he took an air swing at Michael Gault’s back pass, but the Ports keeper did well to recover and clear the danger.

Terry Fitzpatrick flashed an effort wide of the mark in the 28th minute while Miskelly did well to save Dale Montgomery’s low drive before the break.

Portadown’s best chance arrived in the 44th minute when Gary Twigg was denied by Andy Coleman from close range after the striker latched onto Chris Casement’s cross.

Sean Mackle had a decent header saved by Coleman in the 52nd minute, while the Swifts keeper did well to tip Robert Garrett’s thunderous effort from distance over the bar seconds later.

It was 2-0 in the 70th minute when Gault was robbed by Dougie Wilson just inside the Ports half, and Wilson fed Mitchell who raced clear before coolly slotting past Miskelly.

The Ports looked dead and buried, but they found themselves back in the game five minutes later when Ferris met Matthew Parker’s teasing cross to finish past Coleman from 10 yards.

PORTADOWN: Miskelly, Brown (Redman 46), Parker, Oman, Breen, Casement, Mackle, Garrett, Twigg (McAllister 73), Ferris (Richardson 84), Gault.

Subs not used: Marron, Mouncey.

DUNGANNON: Coleman, Hegarty, Wilson, Armstrong, Fitzpatrick (Hazley 67), Glackin, Harpur, Mitchell (Liggett 88), Burke (Lowe 67), McCaffrey, Montgomery.

Subs not used: Addis, O’Rourke.

Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)