Donegal 0-11 Down 0-13

John Clarke and substitute Peter Fitzpatrick landed late points as Down maintained their run at the top of Allianz NFL Division 2.

After a poor quality first half in Ballybofey, Down's attack clicked into gear during an improved second showing from James McCartan's men.

Helped by a brace of Michael Murphy points, Donegal built a 0-05 to 0-04 half-time lead. The visitors bounced back and Kevin McKernan, Martin Clarke and Benny Coulter shot them ahead.

In a nip-and-tuck finale, Colm McFadden and Anthony Thompson shot Donegal level at 0-11 apiece, but Down produced the stronger finish to collect their third league win.

This Ulster derby had a challenge match feel to it in the opening 35 minutes as although there was plenty of endeavour, there was very little end product at both ends of the pitch.

Donegal were the first to threaten and Barry Monaghan was unfortunate to see his shot, after just 30 seconds' play, cannon back off a post.

It was left to Donegal's target man Michael Murphy to open the coring with a sixth minute free, but Down were never really made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal.

The Mourne men missed four early frees - McKernan, Paul McComiskey, John Clarke and Ambrose Rodgers failed to convert those chances.

And Donegal, with Conall Dunne ferrying back into the defence, stretched their lead to 0-03 to 0-01 with efforts from Neil Gallagher and Murphy sandwiching Martin Clarke's 18th minute free.

Had Adrian Hanlon dispatched the ball to the Down net when presented with a chance, this game may well have resulted in a home win.

But Down survived and even managed to move ahead. Benny Coulter and Danny Hughes got their names on the scoresheet, with the former enjoying quite a tussle with his marker Shane Boyle.

Still, Donegal were able to hit back and claim the lead for half-time, courtesy of a 33rd minute free from Colm McFadden and a fine score from play from Michael Maguire.

The second half saw Down find an extra gear though, and they pushed on with points from McKernan, Martin Clarke and Coulter cancelling out a lone Murphy free.

McComiskey and Monaghan then swapped points before three points in as many minutes from the Clarke brothers and Coulter saw the visitors break clear again.

Free-taker McFadden, with three well-struck shots, and Thompson (from play) drew Donegal back level, but Down nosed ahead through John Clarke and the insurance score came from Fitzpatrick in injury-time.

The win was an important one for Down in the league context and gives them an early boost ahead of their Ulster Championship quarter-final clash with Donegal on May 30.