Unbeaten Down maintained their promotion push in Division 2 of the NFL when late points from John Clarke and substitute Peter Fitzpatrick saw them edge out Donegal at Ballybofey.

Down 0-13
Donegal 0-11

In what was a dress rehearsal for their Ulster championship quarter-final on May 30, the visitors recovered from a 0-4 to 0-5 interval deficit to win a thrilling encounter which gives them a three-point buffer at the head of Division 2.

The first half was a poor quality affair with Down missing four early frees. Eventually, Michael Murphy opened the scoring for the home side in the sixth minute and further efforts from Conall Dunne and Murphy had them 0-3 to 0-1 ahead by the 20th minute. Benny Coulter and Danny Hughes brought Down level, only for Colm McFadden and Michael Maguire to hit back with Donegal points before the break.

James McCartan's side resumed with scores from Kevin McKernan, Martin Clarke and Benny Coulter to take control, but it looked as though the points would be shared after McFadden and Anthony Thompson shot Donegal level at 0-11 apiece late on.

But Down nosed ahead through John Clarke before Fitzpatrick added the insurance point in stoppage-time. Tweet

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