Limavady United came within seconds of a point at Stangmore Park, but Sean McAllister’s header in the first minute of stoppage time gave Dungannon Swifts a 3-2 win in front of 375 supporters.
Both sides hit the woodwork in a lively but goalless first half. John Butcher was left unmarked in the box and saw his looping header crash against the crossbar, while Paul Doyle struck the woodwork at the other end with a curling effort. Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe looked certain to score for the hosts until Kieran Farren produced a remarkable overhead clearance off the line.
The Roesiders took the lead six minutes into the second half. Ruairi Boorman’s delivery found Butcher, who fired a low shot through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner.
Dungannon grew into the game and levelled on 71 minutes, substitute Andrew Mitchell flicking home an Adam Glenny cross. Seven minutes later fellow substitute Kealan Dillon collected a deflected ball on the edge of the box and curled it into the bottom corner to put the Swifts ahead.
Limavady refused to give in and were level again on 84 minutes when Daniel Lafferty’s corner was headed into his own net by Dungannon defender Cahal McGinty. There was still time for one more twist, though. Corey Smith swung over a corner from the left and McAllister rose at the near post to send a powerful header into the far corner.
Ronan Wilson, Farren and Stephen Lowry were all booked, and Niall Devlin was the referee.
The Roesiders return to the Showgrounds on Friday 13 November to face Cliftonville. Catch the highlights above, and see the Match Centre for the latest fixtures, results and league table.