Swifts see off ten-man Cliftonville at Solitude

Dungannon Swifts capitalised on Harry Wilson's first-half dismissal to claim a 2-0 Irish Premiership victory over Cliftonville at Solitude.

Second-half goals from Kealan Dillon and Sean McAllister secured a third successive win for Rodney McAree's side, while the Reds have suffered back-to-back defeats.

There was little between the sides early on before Cliftonville began creating the better opportunities, with Liam McStravick sliding Aaron Wightman's low delivery narrowly wide.

Peter Morrison produced a diving save to deny McAllister at the other end, while Wilson fired over from distance for the hosts.

Bernard Healy then found the net following a set-piece routine, but his effort was ruled out for offside, before Oliver Samuels drove forward and fired narrowly wide.

The contest changed shortly before half-time when Wilson was shown a straight red card by referee Shane Andrews following a heavy challenge on Dungannon captain Gael Bigirimana.

The Swifts almost capitalised immediately as Daniel Wallace headed narrowly wide from McAllister's delivery.

Cliftonville suffered another setback shortly after the restart when Morrison, who appeared to hurt his back in a first-half collision with Wallace, was replaced by Matthew Belshaw, who made his Irish Premiership debut.

Despite having 10 men, Cliftonville almost took the lead when Rory Hale raced onto Healy's pass before firing across goal and wide.

Dungannon broke the deadlock when Paul Doyle intercepted McStravick's pass and released Dillon, who fired low beyond Belshaw.

McAllister then punished further sloppy Cliftonville play at the back with a low finish to double the advantage as Dungannon comfortably saw out the victory.

What the managers said

Dungannon manager Rodney McAree: "It's always difficult to play against [Cliftonville]. It is a case of just being patient and moving the ball and trying to work it into areas to get opportunities.

"Thankfully, we get goals off the back of it, we get a clean sheet, and we go up the road with three points."

"There was a five or 10-minute period before the sending off where I thought Cliftonville were starting to get a little bit on top and get control of the game slightly.

"Obviously the red card has helped us."

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton: "Disappointed with that decision and disappointed with the linesman on that side because [Brian Healy] scored a really good goal.

"With those two decisions, it was always going to be difficult."

"We had that wonderful opportunity created for Rory Hale and, had that gone in, the net, it's again a different story because it gives you something really to cling on to."