Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree praised the impact of super-sub Sean McAllister after the former Everton youngster scored twice in Saturday’s 3-3 Premiership draw against Carrick Rangers.

The Swifts twice went ahead at Taylors Avenue as Cahal McGinty struck early before McAllister showed composure from the penalty spot after Danny Gibson had equalised for the hosts.

However, Carrick roared back through Paul Heatley and Aidan Steele with Dungannon claiming a point in the dying moments as McAllister netted his second.

McAllister scored a famous goal in Dungannon’s historic Conference League second qualifying round victory over Vaduz in Liechtenstein before netting against Portadown in August.

placeholder image — Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree with Sean McAllister. (Photo by INPHO/Stephen Hamilton)

The 23-year-old, who returned to Stangmore Park during the summer having came through the club’s youth ranks, ended his near four-month league goal drought on Saturday – much to the delight of McAree.

"It was great to see him score,” McAree told the club’s media channel. “Adam Glenny is supposed to be taking the penalty but Sean is so eager to score he wants to take it.

"He shows bravery and puts it away well. I was even happier when I saw him score from open play, he shows a desire to get in at the back post and he's brave and gets good contact.

"He has done really well this past while. He has been busting to get a goal, you can tell it has been frustrating him, so it's nice to see him get off the mark."

McAree was forced into a number of changes from their previous triumph over Ballymena United through a mixture of injury and suspension.

Both McAllister and Steven Scott were carrying knocks but came on in the second half – as did 17-year-old Eoghan Liggett for his Premiership debut.

"Stevie Scott's ankle is swollen, he probably shouldn't even be coming on, Sean McAllister has a tight hamstring and came on earlier than expected,” he added. “Leo Alves has a bad calf, Gael Bigirimana is suspended, Caolan Marron is out with a rib injury, Sam Anderson, Darragh McBrien, Alex Henderson is out.

"Tiernan Kelly went off last week with a groin injury so we were forced into making five changes.

"We had to try and protect Sean and Scottie because we don't want to lose them long-term, but hopefully it's short-term and we have a few of those back next week."

Dungannon remain inside the top-half following Saturday’s draw, which McAree felt lacked quality from both sides.

"I'm frustrated and relieved to be honest,” he said. “When we lead the game twice, you would be very disappointed to not come away with at least a point.

"When we go 3-2 down at the stage of the game we did, for us to show the character and determination to try and get back into it and get a point, it was hugely rewarding.

"Overall, I thought it was a game littered with mistakes rather than good football. There was very little quality in the game.

"I thought we could have showed more hunger in the first half, we did better in the second half, but we concede two goals. I didn't think it was a great game, I thought it lacked quality."