Dungannon Swifts lost 3-0 away to Crusaders on Tuesday after playing the final 23 minutes with ten men. Goalkeeper Declan Dunne was shown a straight red card in the 67th minute for a high challenge on Owen Wardell, a decision that changed the game.
Declan Hassan, the referee, consulted with his assistant before showing the keeper a straight red. Alex Henderson came on as a substitute goalkeeper, with Leo Alves making way. The Swifts had held firm until that point, with Shea Callister pushing away a shot from Alves outside the box in the first half.
Robbie Weir broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 75th minute, finishing after a short corner routine involving Wardell and Elliot Dunlop. Scot Rough doubled the lead in the 87th minute, heading home from a Dunlop cross. Lloyd Anderson added a third in the fifth minute of stoppage time to complete the scoring.
Dungannon had created chances of their own earlier in the match. Adam Glenny's cross dropped just wide of the back post on 37 minutes, and Gael Bigirimana headed over from an Alves cross early in the second half. The red card proved decisive, however, as the numerical disadvantage told in the closing stages.
The result is Dungannon's second consecutive defeat, following a 1-0 home loss to Linfield last week. It leaves Rodney McAree's side sixth in the Premiership standings with 12 points from seven games.
Their next match is at home to Ballymena United on 19 December. Ballymena currently sit tenth in the table.
The report in full is at sports.yahoo.com
