Dungannon Swifts moved level on points with Linfield and strengthened their grip on a top-half Premiership position after a 2-0 victory over Ballymena United.

Rodney McAree’s men continued their fine home form – their sole league defeat at Stangmore Park since September came courtesy of a late Larne penalty – as Kealan Dillon and Junior struck in the second half.

They remain nine points clear of Bangor, who sit in seventh, as Dungannon look to finish in the top-six for a second consecutive season.

Here’s the story of the match:

placeholder image — Dungannon's Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe scored his side's second. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

TEAM NEWS

Dungannon Swifts: Dunne, M Smith, Marron, Wallace, Glenny, Kelly, Bigirimana, Dillon, Alves, C Smith, Junior.

Subs: Henderson, P Maguire, Knowles, Gordon, T Maguire, Mitchell, Liggett.

Ballymena United: Wade, Gould, McCallion, Clarke, Lafferty, McGeough, Corbally, Scott, O'Connor, Rutkowski, Edogun.

Subs: Breen, Toure, Jarvis, O'Reilly, Ebbe, Thompson, Murray.

Referee: Rob Hennessy

FIRST HALF

6: Leo Alves whips in a dangerous corner which Junior gets first contact too under severe pressure from Success Edogun. Some appeals for a penalty are waved away.

7: First yellow card of the afternoon shown by Rob Hennessy, who is on an exchange from the League of Ireland, is shown to Swifts captain Gael Bigirimana.

17: Kealan Dillon unleashes an effort from distance which requires Ballymena debutant Brad Wade to tip over the crossbar. Corner comes to nothing.

20: Corey Smith tries his luck from outside the box for Dungannon – his shot sails narrowly wide of the post.

25: Wade is almost caught out by a quick free-kick from Dillon which looks destined for goal before sailing just wide.

26: Leo Alves follows Bigirimana into the book after a foul on the far side.

31: In an almost identical position to six minutes prior, Dillon tries his luck with another free-kick – this time it’s deflected for a corner.

35: Superb work from Corey Smith allows Glenny to get a shot away, which Wade palms wide and Ballymena clear their lines.

37: Andy Scott is shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Danny Wallace.

39: Off the woodwork! Corey Smith’s driving run and pass finds Junior, who attempts a cross which is deflected onto his own crossbar by Danny Lafferty.

45: One minute of added time.

HALF TIME: DUNGANNON SWIFTS 0 – 0 BALLYMENA UNITED

SECOND HALF

46: What a chance for Ballymena! The Sky Blues should take the lead as Igor Rutkowski fluffs his lines from a matter of yards out as Declan Dunne claims. Ought to have scored.

49: End-to-end action at the start of this half as Alves hits the side netting with a free-kick before Corey Smith’s tremendous cross isn’t met by a teammate.

54: Another chance for Ballymena as Daire O’Connor meets Edogun’s wicked cross but can’t direct his shot on target.

56: Ali Gould goes into the book after a late challenge on Corey Smith.

59: Triple change for Ballymena as Ali Gould, Igor Rutkowski and Andy Scott are replaced by David Toure, Sean Murray and Aaron Jarvis.

67: GOAL – DUNGANNON SWIFTS (KEALAN DILLON): Dungannon have their deserved opener! Dillon, who has been dangerous all game, fires home from the edge of the box. 1-0.

72: Dylan McGeouch replaced by Dean Ebbe for Ballymena while goalscorer Dillon and Corey Smith are off for Shea Gordon and Thomas Maguire.

80: Ballymena make their final change as Kian Corbally is replaced by Jack O’Reilly.

81: GOAL – DUNGANNON SWIFTS (JUNIOR): Dungannon double their advantage as Junior shows composure to slot past Wade after gathering Dunne’s long ball. 2-0.

84: James Knowles and Andrew Mitchell replace Gael Bigirimana and goalscorer Junior.

89: Adam Glenny replaced by Peter Maguire.

90+2: Wallace goes into the book late for dragging down Edogun.

FULL TIME: DUNGANNON SWIFTS 2 – 0 BALLYMENA UNITED