Dean Shiels is adamant it’s only a matter of time before Dungannon Swifts’ luck turns around.
The former Northern Ireland star watched his side go toe to toe with Cliftonville at Solitude on Saturday, and last season’s Premiership runners-up were fortunate to emerge with all three points against underdogs who refused to back off.
The visitors snatched the lead early on through a James Knowles penalty before Ronan Hale equalised and Chris Gallagher put the Reds ahead on the stroke of half-time thanks to a huge deflection.
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The Swifts made it 2-2 after the break through Joe McCreadie’s opportunistic strike but Michael Ruddy then put through his own net and Cliftonville skipper Chris Curran climbed off the bench to kill off the game with a beautifully worked goal.
Still, Shiels was proud of the shift his players put in, stating: “There were lots and lots of positives. The own goal from Michael Ruddy, the deflected goal from Gallagher, it’s just bad luck.
“Those moments are what cost you when you come to the big teams. You keep getting kicked but you’ve just got to keep getting up.”
It’s now four defeats from four games this campaign but Shiels likes what he is seeing from his players.
“I’m really, really happy with the performance levels," he said. "Each game this season we’ve improved. There are really, really good signs going forward.”
Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin was relieved to pick up the win as he knows his team were up against it at times.
He said: “You know what you’re going to get with Dungannon, they’re a brilliant footballing side.
“Dean’s done a fantastic job. Sometimes people disrespect them because of their league position but they’re one of the best footballing sides in the division. It was a good three points.”
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