THE goals were equally shared at a 1-1 draw at Stangmore Park although Cliftonville will be regretting not managing to secure all three points
After a lively start to proceedings Andrew Mitchell fired the Swifts in front on 13 minutes after he raced through to send a left-foot effort beyond Peter Burke into the bottom corner.
Cliftonville did look lively during the first half but lacked that cutting edge up front.
But they did find a way to goal six minutes after the break when Tomas Cosgrove got free to send a ball into the path of Chris Curran who, in turn, showed great skill to fire past Andy Coleman.
The Swifts had a chance themselves late in the game when a Kris Lowe cross was headed goalbound by Seanan Clucas only for the ball to be cleared off the line.
Neither Glentoran or Portadown managed to find the net in a game that produced few decent scoring opportunities.
Curtis Allen threatened for the Glens as early as the third minute when he sent a volley across the face of goal and just wide.
At the other end, Ken Oman directed a header from a corner just beyond the back post. Then, later in the half, Brendan Shannon blasted over for the Ports from a good position. Allen did have the ball in the net with a diving header but his 'goal' was ruled out offside.
A Cathair Friel hat-trick earned Ballymena a 4-2 victory over Ards.
Tony Kane gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot, before Friel scored two goals either side of a David McAllister strike for Ards.
Friel grabbed his hat-trick with a calm finish before Craig McMillen got Ards's second.
Linfield fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at Glenavon - despite having Matthew Clarke and Roy Carroll sent off in the opening 10 minutes.
Glenavon went 2-0 up through Paddy McCourt and Greg Moorhouse but Linfield, with defender Mark Haughey in goals, cut the gap courtesy of an Andrew Waterworth header and equalised via superb solo effort from Paul Smyth.
Jordan Owens scored a header just before half-time as Crusaders beat Coleraine 1-0 to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points.
Crues keeper Sean O'Neill saved a late penalty from Lyndon Kane to secure the three points, while Declan Caddell was sent-off in injury-time.
Crusaders are now six points clear of Linfield and Ballymena United while Coleraine drop to fifth.
