Irish Premiership: Dungannon Swifts 2-0 Ballinamallard
Last updated on .From the section Football
Two Andrew Burns goals earned Dungannon a crucial Premiership win over their fellow-struggles Ballinamallard.
Liam Martin had a great immediate chance for the Mallards but was denied by Andy Coleman and Burns nodded the Swifts ahead on 15 minutes.
Jason McCartney missed a great chance to level for the Mallards before Burns headed his second goal on 53.
Dungannon's Abiola Sanusi and Ballinamallard's Liam McMenamin were sent off after an 85th-minute incident.
McMenamin struck the Dungannon player on the back of the head after Sanusi had been adjudged to have fouled the Ballinamallard man.
Sanusi and his Dungannon team-mates loudly protested following his red card although McMenamin could have few complaints about his dismissal.
Ballinamallard should have taken the lead in the opening minute at Stangmore Patrk but Martin failed to beat Coleman after being played in by Johnny Lafferty.
The miss was soon punished as Burns nodded in at the back post after a corner.
McCartney missed a glorious chance to level on 22 minutes with Jamie Glackin wasting an opportunity at the other end before the break.
Dungannon doubled their advantage on 53 as Burns nodded in a carbon copy of his first-half goal.
As Ballinamallard's morale appeared to flag, Dungannon dominated the remainder of the contest with visiting keeper Stefan McCusker performing heroics in denying Andy Mitchell and Gary Liggett.
