Meath are down to Division Three after a humiliating 2-14 to 1-8 defeat to Louth at Navan.

This match was a straight shoot-out for survival and the Wee County won easily with Derek Maguire hitting both goals.

The losers finished the match with 13 men after midfielders Brian Meade and Mark Ward both got two yellows and the home supporters could be forgiven for asking for a refund after the final whistle.

With Division Three waiting, Meath football is stumbling to an all-time low.

But credit Louth. The Reds dominated the first half entirely to lead by 1-12 to 0-3 at the interval, two of Meath's three points coming within a minute just before the short whistle.

A large travelling crowd turned out at Pairc Tailteann for this one and they were given something to cheer when Darren Clarke pointed them ahead from a third-minute free.

With the wind behind them, playing into the town end, Louth had further points from Clarke (2) and Adrian Reid to take control as we came towards the end of the first quarter. A handling error by Reid cost the Wee County - for whom captain Paddy Keenan was dominating at centrefield - a possible goal chance.

A 28th-minute goal from Derek Maguire made it 1-8 to 0-1 to Peter Fitzpatrick's team and Louth had also hit six wides. Ronan Carroll stretched their advantage and the Royals were in serious trouble. Clarke had scored four for Louth already and Carroll, Ray Finnegan and Derek Crilly got their other points.

Stephen Bray pointed after ten seconds of the second half and Tom Walsh added a Meath goal after a bad mix-up in the Louth defence.

But the visitors responded with a second Maguire goal after Keenan and Carroll worked a contentious quick free - 2-12 to 1-4 after 45 minutes.

Meath midfielder Brian Meade was sent off with a second yellow card and there were two off-the-ball rows as Louth led by 2-13 to 1-5 into the fourth quarter.

Five minutes of injury time had to be added after the game resumed and Meath also had their second midfielder Mark Ward sent off with a second yellow.

The 13 men trailed by 2-13 to 1-8 with time almost up and the fact that Louth got the last point sums up their dismal year so far.

All the talk tonight and tomorrow will be about Meath, but this was a stunning victory for their neighbours who have dodged the drop in style.

Louth - N Gallagher; D Finnegan, P Rath, G Hoey; D Byrne (0-1), J Carr, R Finnegan; P Keenan (0-1), R Carroll (0-3); D Crilly, M Brennan, A Reid (0-1); D Maguire (2-2), J McEneaney, D Clarke (0-6, 3f, 2'45's). Subs: A McDonnell for Brennan, B White for Carroll.

Meath - D Gallagher; M Burke (0-1), C King, C O'Connor; S McAnarney, B Menton (0-1), D Tobin; B Meade, M Ward; S Bray (0-2), S Kenny, G Reilly (0-1); C Ward (0-3, 2f), B Farrell, J Queeney. Subs: T Walsh (1-0) for Farrell, C Lenihan for O'Connor, A Forde for Queeney.

Referee - M Collins (Cork). Tweet

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