Niall Morgan was the star of the show for Tyrone as they proved too strong for a much changed Donegal side in this Division 1 tie in O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny.
Tyrone came to Letterkenny with the greater need for points and with Darragh Canavan again leading the line with great aplomb they were well on their way at the break, five points ahead.
The Donegal team showed 11 changes from the one that defeated Derry in Ballyshannon but they held their own until the final ten minutes of the half.
The sides were level on four occasions in the opening 21 minutes, tied at that stage at 0-5 apiece. Canavan with three, Niall Morgan and Mattie Donnell found the target for Tyrone while Michael Murphy (3) and Jamie Brennan were the Donegal scorers.
A quick double from Canavan and full-back Peter Teague put Tyrone on the front foot and they gradually built up a lead with further points from Ciaran Daly (2), Mark Bradley (2) and Kieran McGeary while Hugh McFadden and Jamie Brennan found the target for Donegal. The visitors led 0-12 to 0-07 at the break.
Tyrone forged nine points ahead in the first ten minutes of the second half with Peter Harte, Michael McKernan and Brian Kennedy getting their names on the scoresheet while Niall Morgan chipped in with a two pointer.
Donegal rallied to twice reduce the margin to four points thanks to two points from Odhran Doherty and Caolan McColgan but another two point free from man of the match Niall Morgan made sure that Tyrone were not going to be denied as they picked up the much needed two points to give themselves a fighting chance of staying in the top flight with their last game at home to Dublin.
Donegal go to Mayo in the final game still with the chance of making the league final but judging by the team lineout for this game, Donegal's focus is more on Derry in the Ulster championship on 6 April
Donegal: Gavin Mulreany; Mark Curran (0-01), Kevin McGettigan (0-01), Peadar Mogan; Odhran McFadden Ferry, Finnbarr Roarty (0-01), Caolan McColgan (0-02,2pt); Hugh McFadden (0-01), Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride; Jamie Brennan (0-04), Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí, Odhran Doherty (0-02,2pt); Charles McGuinness, Michael Murphy (0-04,0-02f), Niall O'Donnell.
Subs: Eoin McHugh (0-01) for Mac Ceallabhuí (ht); Ciaran Moore (0-02) and Keelan McGroddy for McColgan and McGuinness (both 48); Luke McGlynn for O Doherty (54); Jonny Carlin for Murphy (62)
Tyrone: Niall Morgan (0-05,two2pfs); Aidan Clarke, Peter Teague (0-01), Niall Devlin; Michael McKernan (0-01), Rory Brennan, Joe Oguz; Brian Kennedy (0-01), Conn Kilpatrick; Mattie Donnelly (0-03), Kieran McGeary (0-01), Ciaran Daly (0-02); Darragh Canavan (0-04,0-02f), Mark Bradley (0-04,0-02f), Peter Harte (0-01).
Subs: Seanie O'Donnell (0-01) for Oguz (48); Cormac Quinn and Ruairi Canavan for McGeary and Harte (both 52); Darren McCurry (0-01) for Bradley (57); Shea O'Hare for McKernan (67)
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down
