Michael Ward scored a hat-trick for Dungannon Swifts

Kyle Neill was first to go for handling on the line which led to Michael Ward equalising Gary Hamilton's opener from the penalty spot.

Michael Collins was red carded for dissent and then defender John Convery followed for a foul which brought about Ward's second successful penalty.

Aaron Baker levelled for the Ports but Ward completed his hat-trick late on.

Ports manager Ronnie McFall also fell foul on match official Frankie Hiles as he was banished from the dug-out for the second half.

It had all started so different for third-placed Portadown as Gary Hamilton beat Gavin Cushley at the second attempt to put them into a 14th-minute lead.

Dungannon's first penalty came five minutes before half-time after Neill was adjudged to have deliberately blocked a shot with his arm.

Ward drilled the spot-kick past keeper Paul Murphy to leave it 1-1 at the break.

With the dismissal of Collins reducing the Ports to nine men, they conceded a second penalty when Convery brought down Ward.

Convery was the last man and got a straight red card and Ward netted the spot-kick.

However, eight-man Portadown somehow produced an equaliser with sub Baker scoring with five minutes to go.

But there was heartache right at the end for the Ports was Ward blasted in a stoppage-time winner after Murphy had saved David Scullion's initial effort.