Darren Murphy resigns as Dungannon boss after defeat by Ballymena

Darren Murphy has resigned as Dungannon Swifts manager after watching his side lose 1-0 to a last-gasp David Cushley goal for 10-man Ballymena United.

Matthew Tipton was sent-off for a challenge on Ryan Harpur on 49 minutes.

"There have been too many times this year when the team have gone through the motions and I just feel today is the right time to go," said Murphy.

"For the amount of commitment and effort I put in I don't feel I have got enough back this season," he added.

"I've been in the Irish League for 24 years but there is only so much you can do as a manager. I don't want to overstay my welcome and people to forget the good times we have had.

"There are a lot of great people at this club but all things come to an end and I think it needs a fresh face and a fresh voice to inject a wee bit of life into the club."

The Swifts are struggling near the foot of the table, having picked up just two wins and accumulated eight points from 13 Premiership matches this season.

There was early disappointment for the hosts as captain Jim Ervin saw his penalty saved by Andy Coleman after Tipton had been upended in the area by Andrew Burns.

Matthew Shevlin went close with a header and David Armstrong was inches wide with an attempt at the other end.

Tipton's dismissal appeared to tilt the game in the Swifts' favour but Cushley smashed the ball home after Kyle McVey headed a long throw-in into the path of the Sky Blues winger.

Dungannon's best chance had fallen to Kris Lowe but his shot from six yards was superbly tipped away by Dwayne Nelson.