Irish Premiership: Crusaders 1-1 Dungannon Swifts

Crusaders were punished for their failure to take a series of chances as Ryan Harpur's second-half goal earned Dungannon Swifts a Premiership point.

Jordan Owens wasted a glorious early chance with Paul Heatley and Declan Caddell also going close.

Gary McCutcheon put the home side ahead of 54 after Timmy Adamson had nodded on a long ball from Colin Coates.

However, Harpur levelled on 67 after Crues keeper Sean O'Neill failed to reach a Cameron Grieve cross.

Dungannon keeper Gareth Buchanan made a number of fine saves in both halves.

Early on, the Swifts custodian denied Owens after a Craig McLean cross had been flicked on by Adamson.

Owens will wonder how he failed to find the net on 15 minutes as he headed over with the goal gaping after Caddell had nodded back a McCutcheon free-kick.

Lively winger Heatley then hit the side-netting with a fierce shot while McLean was also causing the Dungannon defence a lot of difficulty.

The Crues looked to have taken control of the game when McCutcheon finally beat Buchanan in the 54th minute.

However, Dungannon were on terms 13 minutes later as O'Neill attempted to gather Grieve's cross but didn't get there as Harpur nodded into the empty net.

The result moves keeps Dungannon in the top half of the table while Crusaders's slow start to the season continues as they find themselves in ninth spot.