Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree rued his side’s inability to play to their own strengths as they fell to a last minute Portadown goal at Shamrock Park.
“We spoke at the break about not turning it into an open game that would suit Portadown but in the end we played into their hands. It was like a game of ping pong,” he told BBC Sport NI.
It looked as though McAree’s Swifts would leave with a share of the spoils after Ahu Obhakhan had cancelled out the visitors’ opener from Danny Wallace which saw them lead at the break.
However, Ben Wylie’s 95th minute winner saw the Ports win their second game in a row.
“I thought we were ok in the first half,” continued McAree.
“But I had a feeling there would be a winner in the second half and unfortunately it wasn’t us who got it.
“It hurts and I know the players are hurting too because leaving here with a point would have been a very pleasing result.”
The Swifts boss bemoaned his side’s inability to take chances but was still full of praise for his players.
“We worked Aaron [McCarey] in the first half and on another day one of those chances flies in or Leo Alves’ effort that hit the bar dips a bit lower,” he explained.
“In this league you have to take your chances and we didn’t do that enough tonight.”