Dungannon's ambitions of a top-four spot were dealt a blow last evening when falling to Buccaneers at Ericsson Park.

With Buccaneers defending defiantly against the strong crosswind, Dungannon still found the going difficult and it was not until the 39th minute that centre Ryan Constable crossed in the right corner for the only points of the half.

It was a short-lived lead. At the start of the second period, Buccaneers' left wing Matty Walker was stopped close to the line and from the resulting penalty and sin-binning of Dungannon number eight Tony McWhirter, centre Darren Yapp went in under the posts. Simon Allnutt, appearing in his first league match this season, landed the conversion.

Nine minutes later, Yapp burst through the cover for his second try. Allnutt added the conversion as well as a long-range penalty.

Although Jan Cunningham narrowed the gap to 17-12 with a 69th minute try converted by Bryn Cunningham, it was Buccaneers who notched their fourth successive win.

Buccaneers: G Austin; M Devine, D Yapp, P Whittaker, M Walker; S Allnutt, T Robinson; J Screene, J McVeigh, M Cahill, C Brownlie, K Barrett, I Dillon, E Brennan, C Rigney. Replacements: C Finn for Brennan, N Smullen for Barrett (70 mins).

Dungannon: J Bell;, J Cunningham, R Constable, A Clarke, T Howe; B Cunningham, S Bell; R Mackey, N Brady, G Leslie, P Jones, A Kearney, R Stafford, M Haslett, T McWhirter Replacements: K Walker for Haslett (28 mins), J Fitzpatrick for Mackey (56 mins).

Referee: D McHugh.