A great point from All Star nominee Ronan O'Toole in the sixth minute of injury-time completed a comeback win for Westmeath against Clare in a game played in enormously windy conditions in TEG Cusack Park.
The elements in Mullingar favoured Clare in the first half, but Westmeath had total control of the ball for the opening four minutes and were rewarded with a soft goal from Conor Dillon, whose point attempt was deflected into the net.
However, the home team only scored once more for the remainder of the half courtesy of Ronan Wallace, a fisted effort in the 25th minute.
They also shot five wides, some of them of the very poor variety.
For their part, the Banner County men were much more economical, with Dermot Coughlan particularly impressive at wing forward and he fired over a hat-trick of quality points.
Ciaran Downes notched three himself, including a '45 in the seventh minute.
Arguably the best point of the half was a wonderful long-range shot from goalkeeper Stephen Ryan in the 19th minute.
Clare deservedly led by 0-10 to 1-01 at the interval, though it was clear the wind was a major factor.
Lorcan Dolan was black-carded within a minute of the resumption of play and it took Westmeath a long time to settle after the break.
Indeed, they only scored two points in the third quarter via O'Toole and Loughlin (a free), while Aaron Griffin's well-taken point in the 48th minute kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors.
When Alan Sweeney pointed in style in the 59th minute, Clare looked set to pick up their second set of league points.
However, Dessie Dolan's charges then had a purple patch and they kicked six points without reply via Robbie Forde (a free), O'Toole, sub Kieran Martin (a mark), Ray Connellan (one of the scores of the game), and a brace from Sam McCartan.
Westmeath now led by a single point (1-10 to 0-12) with 67 minutes on the clock.
Clare's Coughlan soon picked up his second yellow card of the afternoon before the fourth official signalled a minimum of six minutes'added-time.
With desperation rising, Brian McNamara rifled over a great equaliser and the game looked set to finish level when the home team spurned two good chances to re-take the lead.
In the fourth minute of injury-time, Mark Fitzgerald's troops had a 'goal' disallowed, Cormac Murray's slapped effort from point-blank range ruled out for a square ball.
Westmeath made the most of this let-off when O'Toole kicked the superb winning score. There was still time for Westmeath sub Matthew Whittaker to be black-carded for a cynical foul but the hosts held out for the victory.
Westmeath: J Daly; J Dolan, C Drumm, J Gonoud; S McCartan (0-02), R Wallace (0-01), C Dillon (1-00); R Connellan (0-01), A McCormack; DLynch, R O'Toole (0-03), J Lynam; L Loughlin (0-02, frees), S Baker, L Dolan.
Subs: J Smith for J Dolan (42), E Mulvihill for Dillon (48), KMartin (0-01, mark) for Baker (53), R Forde (0-01, free) for L Dolan(53), M Whittaker for Lynam (61).
Clare: S Ryan (0-01); M Doherty, R Lanigan, M Garry; I Ugweru, A Sweeney(0-01), D Walsh (0-01); G Murray, B McNamara (0-01); D Coughlan (0-03),E McMahon (0-02, frees), C Downes (0-03, 0-01 '45'); M McInerney, AGriffin (0-01), S Griffin.
Subs: C Rouine for McInerney (h-t), EO'Connor for Rouine (inj., 48), C Murray for S Griffin (62), F Ginnanefor Ugweru (69).
Ref: D Murnane (Cork).
