Cavan moved closer to the top flight when edging out determined Down at Breffni Park tonight, 0-17 to 0-14.

The result means that Mattie McGleenan's men have now amassed nine points from a possible ten as they try to secure an instant return to Division One.

With five minutes of normal time remaining, the vociferous home support were biting their nails in unison after the visitors had drawn level with points from Caolan Mooney, Kevin McKernan and Ruairi Wells, 0-13 apiece.

But Seanie Johnston came off the bench to point with his first touch and Dara McVeety doubled the difference before goalkeeper Raymond Galligan - who had executed vital saves in both halves - drilled over a '45' deep into added time. Connaire Harrison and Conor Bradley traded the last two scores as Cavan ran out deserving winners.

The gallant Mourne men led by the odd point from 13 at the short whistle after Donal O'Hare slotted a free on the stroke of half time. Gearoid McKiernan and Caoimhin O'Reilly pointed first for the winners before O'Hare, Harrison (2) and Anthony Doherty (free) replied. After Conor Moynagh and O'Hare traded points, O'Reilly and Bryan Magee posted frees either side of a McKiernan strike as the winners led 0-6 to 0-5 approaching the interval.

Tempers flared at half time and substitute Cian Mackey twice drew Cavan level inside the first ten minutes of the second half. Shay Millar's effort in the 48^th minute made it 0-9 each. But a run of points from O'Reilly (free), Bradley and Oisin Kiernan between the 49^th and 54^th minutes saw Cavan assume a three-point advantage and, although Down would respond, the hosts were the more economical side when push came to shove, with McKiernan (0-4) very much the star of the show as they took a four-point lead at the top of the table.

Cavan - R Galligan (0-1'45); J McLoughlin, P Faulkner, Conor Brady; M Reilly, Ciaran Brady, E Flanagan; S Murray, B Magee (0-1f); D McVeety (0-1), C Moynagh (0-1), O Kiernan (0-1); N Clerkin, G McKiernan (0-4), C O'Reilly (0-3, 2f). Subs: C Mackey (0-2) for Conor Brady, A Cole for N Clerkin, C Bradley (0-2) for C Moynagh, S Johnston (0-1) for E Flanagan, K Clarke for S Murray.

Down - M Reid; C Flanagan, B McArdle, A Doherty (0-2f); R Wells (0-1), N McParland, C Mooney (0-1); P Turley, N Donnelly; C Francis, C Maginn, S Millar (0-1); C Harrison (0-3, 1f), D O'Hare (0-4, 3f), R Johnston (0-1). Subs: K McKernan (0-1) for C Francis, D McKibbin for S Millar, C Poland for N Donnelly, R Millar for D O'Hare.

Referee - P O'Sullivan.

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