The Swifts enjoyed four chances inside the opening ten minutes with Terry Fitzpatrick's fifth minute 25-yard drive coming closest to breaking the deadlock.

Then, on 28 minutes, Marc McCann forced Crues 'keeper Chris Keenan to save at full stretch with an effort from 25 yards.

Crusaders might have led at the break, though, when leading scorer David Rainey had a go from 22 yards only for Alvin Rouse to just about keep the ball out.

Dungannon moved in front on 63 minutes through Northern Ireland Under-17 international Stefan Lavery who collected the ball 20 yards from goal to send a speculative left-foot shot beyond the reach of the outstretched Keenan.

The visitors levelled five minutes later, though, when Rouse hesitated to deal with a Colin Coates punt forward allowed Dominic Melly to nip in to tap the ball home.

Both sides finished the game with ten men in an explosive closing few minutes.

Northern Ireland international Coates was shown a straight red card when he upended Lavery - who was through on goal - with nine minutes left while Swifts 'keeper Rouse walked a minute from time when he laid his hands on Mark Dickson following a sliding tackle from the striker.