Swifts’ add to Distillery woes

DUNGANNON Swifts added to Lisburn Distillery’s woes as they condemned the Whites to a 1-0 defeat at Stangmore Park last Saturday.

A late winner from Emmet Friars 12 minutes from time was enough to ease Swifts’ relegation worries and heap further pressure on bottom club Distillery.

Whites’ keeper Lee Windrum denied Ryan Harpur and James Costello in the first half while Gary Liggett headed a Distillery chance wide.

The visitors dominated after the break with Andy Hunter heading wide and Niall Morgan denying Scott Davidson.

However, it was the home side celebrating after 90 minutes after Friars headed home the winner, leaving the Whites four points adrift of Donegal Celtic at the bottom of the Danske Bank Premiership table.

A 78th minute header from Emmet Friars secured victory in the weekend’s big basement battle as the defender scored with a back-post header to push Distillery deeper into trouble.

A 10-point gap has now opened up between Dungannon and the Whites – quite a gulf for a side who’ve amassed just 11 points all season.

While Dungannon will feel they just about deserved to win, defeat was cruel on their opponents.

Distillery created the game’s two best chances but, tellingly, failed to hit the target with either one.

Gary Liggett sent a header wide late in the first half when unmarked in the six yard box while Andy Hunter did likewise with an equally good chance in the second period.

And they paid for those misses when Friars headed home Ryan Harpur’s corner late on.

Distillery boss Tim McCann was hugely disappointed with the result.

“It’s gutting considering Dungannon had just one chance in the second half,” he said. “I thought it was just a matter of time for us.

“We had a chance at one end and then two minutes later the ball is in our net from an individual error.”

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