Swifts' Rodney McAree was red-carded in the 23rd minute for a bad challenge on Chris Scannell who was also dismissed for retaliating.

Cliftonville were down to nine men in the 62nd minute when Conor Downey was sent-off for raising his hands to Dungannon's Shane McCabe.

"The first two dismissals ruined the game," said Swifts boss Harry Fay.

"There was nothing malicious in Rodney's challenge and I felt two yellows would have been enough.

"Cliftonville settled for a point early on. We tried to stretch them and had two good chances but did not take them."