Three late Ciarain Murtagh points into the wind handed Roscommon a precious 0-15 to 0-13 victory over Cavan at chilly Dr Hyde Park.

Both these teams were in Division One last season and this result means they both remain in the promotion shake-up with one game each remaining. A draw would have been enough for the visitors today but the Rossies have now joined them on nine points at the top of the table.

Unbeaten going into this weekend, Cavan now face a potential winner-takes-all meeting with Tipperary in Breffni Park next Sunday, although the postponement of Tipp's clash with Down today has complicated matters somewhat as that fixture needs to be rearranged somehow.

The winners at the Hyde today slotted six successive score before the break to lead by 0-9 to 0-6 at half time, limiting their opponents to just a solitary score from the twelfth minute onwards.

Playing into the wind, the visitors made a rip-roaring start to lead by five points to one inside twelve minutes, with Adrian Cole, Martin Reilly, Caoimhin O'Reilly (free), blood substitute Cian Mackey and centre back Ciaran Brady all on target. Ciarain Murtagh stroked over the Rossies' second, his brother Diarmuid having notched their first, and corner back Fergal Lennon's goal effort flew over the bar as the hosts closed within two.

Gearoid McKiernan was happy enough to take his point but Diarmuid Murtagh replied with a brace before a Conor Devaney point tied the scores up at six apiece with four minutes left before the break. Further points from Ciaran Lennon and Ciarain Murtagh (free) had the Rossies ahead by three at the interval.

O'Reilly slotted a brace of frees for Mattie McGleenan's men upon the restart; Brady equalised and McKiernan propelled them ahead with eleven minutes played in the second half. McKiernan and Donie Smith traded scores as the outcome hung in the balance moving into the final quarter…

A Dara McVeety goal attempt somehow came off last man Enda Smith on the line as the Breffni boys were agonisingly denied a crucial score but goalkeeper Raymond Galligan - who had just made a sensational save - smacked over the resultant '45' to make it a two-point game again.

Points from Enda Smith and Cathal Cregg had the Rossies on terms but substitute Seanie Johnston popped up with Cavan's thirteenth point nine minutes from the end and it was a nervy finish as the hosts dropped two equalising efforts short into the stiff breeze with time running out.

With five minutes left, Ciaran Murtagh nailed a massive free to make it 0-13 apiece, and the same player then nudged the hosts back ahead after a speculative Galligan free had drifted wide at the other end efore his third successive point saw the Rossies over the line.

Kevin McStay's men will be promoted if they beat Cork back at this venue in seven days.

Roscommon - J Featherston; D Murray, P Domican, F Lennon (0-1); R Daly, B Stack, N Daly; T O'Rourke, C Compton; C Murtagh (0-5, 3f), N Kilroy, C Devaney (0-1); D Smith (0-2), C Lennon (0-1), D Murtagh (0-3, 1f). Subs: E Smith (0-1) for T O'Rourke, C Daly for R Daly, C Cregg (0-1) for C Lennon, U Harney for C Daly, Fintan Cregg for D Murtagh.

Cavan - R Galligan (0-1'45); J McLoughlin, P Faulkner, C Bradley; M Reilly (0-1), Ciaran Brady (0-2), E Flanagan; K Clarke, B Magee; D McVeety, C Moynagh, O Kiernan; A Cole (0-1), G McKiernan (0-3), C O'Reilly (0-3f). Subs: C Mackey (0-1) for G McKiernan, G McKiernan for C Mackey, C Mackey for C Moynagh, D Brady for A Cole, S Johnston (0-1) for C O'Reilly, N Clerkin for C Bradley, S Murray for B Magee.

Referee - C Reilly.

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