Mulgrew's praise for '˜relentless' Linfield

Mulgrew was among the goals in a 4-0 win, netting the second, to keep the pressure on Crusaders at the top of the table.

The 30-year-old has been impressed by battling draws against the Crues and Glenavon - and wins over Ballymena United and now the Swifts.

“Over the last month or so I think we have turned a corner,” Mulgrew said. “We’re starting to play like a team and work hard as a team.

“That is what Linfield is all about and we have to do that if we want to challenge for this league.”

Linfield broke the deadlock after 29 minutes after an own-goal from Chris Hegarty.

The defender tried to clear a free-kick under pressure from Jimmy Callacher, but headed into his own net.

Mulgrew then got on the scoresheet two minutes later. He received a pass from the lively Paul Smyth, took a touch and went for goal, with his strike taking a deflection en route.

The game was over in the 42nd minute when Linfield made it 3-0. This time Mulgrew turned provider, shifting the ball across to Niall Quinn, who scored with a low, left-foot drive.

The Blues continued to press and added number four in the 54th minute. Dungannon failed to cut out a cross and Ross Gaynor arrived on cue to convert.

Mulgrew felt 4-0 didn’t flatter Linfield.

“Given the chances we created today it could have been a whole lot more,” he added. “We were relentless from the first whistle.

“It is a credit to all of us - the way we pressed the ball and put Dungannon under pressure.”

Crusaders continue to set the pace as the league approaches its midway point.

But Linfield are just four points behind, and have shown in recent weeks that they are ready to push the champions all the way.

They came back from 2-0 down at Glenavon to draw with nine men. And now the Blues have claimed back-to-back wins.

Manager David Healy feels Linfield had been performing well for some time.

“Maybe the Glenavon game was a turning point, maybe the decisions that went against us last week helped us,” he said. “I had no worries before that.

“I had some really good performances before that.

“You think of Cliftonville away, where we lost, Crusaders at home, Cliftonville at home in the County Antrim Shield.

“These boys are putting a shift in.”

Dungannon boss Rodney McAree was bitterly disappointed with his side’s performance. He admitted some players did not turn up.

In a surprise move, McAree left experienced midfielders Ryan Harpur and Douglas Wilson on the bench.

“Whether it is training or whether it’s matches you always have to go away and assess your own performance,” he said. “You have to be open and honest with that.

“If players go away and are open and honest with themselves, there is quite a few of them who will realise they haven’t done enough for the team.

“I tried to use the squad as best I could today and it was a mistake from my point of view.

“I left people out who it means something to.”

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Coleman, Burns, Hegarty, Armstrong, O’Rourke, Clucas, Glackin (Wilson, 46), McElroy, Burke (Harpur, 46), Lavery, Mitchell (Fitzpatrick, 70)

Subs not used: Addis, Lowe.

LINFIELD: Carroll, Stafford (Casement, 79), Haughey, Callacher, Ward, Lowry, Mulgrew, Quinn, Gaynor (R Clarke, 69), Smyth, Waterworth (Millar, 73)

Subs not used: Burns, Carson.

Referee: Boyce.