The Glens missed out on the opportunity to return to the summit with this reversal and now sit a point behind leaders Linfield but have played three games more than their city rivals.

Glentoran started much the brighter of the two sides, though, and could have taken an early lead through Gary Hamilton when he had a shot cleared from the right post by Adam McMinn.

Keith Gillespie then followed up with a couple of chances, once of which was saved by Alvin Rouse while Dermot McCaffrey knocked away the other.

Jason Hill and Colin Nixon then a go before Gillespie was once again thwarted by McCaffrey.

But the Swifts might have led at the break when Johnny Taylor brought down Shane Coney to concede a penalty - and a red card - which McCafferty failed to send past Elliot Morris while Craig McClean's follow-up was also saved by the visiting 'keeper.

Swifts had most of the second period possession and the pressure on Glentoran's ten-men told on 78 minutes, McCafferty this time beating Morris.

And two minutes later when a shot from McIlmoyle was cleared by the head of Sean Ward before former Falkirk and Hibs defender McCaffrey rifled the ball to the top corner.