Down's powerful finish at Markievicz Park saw them confirm promotion to Allianz Football League Division 2 - with a game to spare - as they defeated Sligo 2-25 to 0-21 at a weather-lashed Sligo town venue.
Classy full-forward Pat Havern bagged 1-10 for the unbeaten winners for whom wing-back Daniel Guinness was also brilliant - Guinness scored 0-06 in the second-half.
Hard-working Sligo are not out of the woods in terms of tier three survival and may need to take something from their final game against Clare.
Sligo came into this game - their third of four home fixtures - looking to bounce back from the previous round's collapse away to Wexford.
Down, with ex-Sligo boss Tony McEntee in their management team, arrived in the north-west on the back of a 100% record, having won all five of their games so far.
In blustery conditions, with occasional hail showers, Sligo more than held their own against the in-form Down.
By the 10th minute it was 0-04 to 0-03 to the hosts - among their early scores were efforts from Lee Deignan, who landed a two-pointer free, and David Quinn, who was making his first start of the campaign.
Down, who settled on the scoreboard with well-taken scores from Ceilum Doherty, had a star in Pat Havern, who kicked 0-06 in that first-half, including a memorable two-pointer after 13 minutes.
Down twice went close to scoring goals in the first-half but Miceal Rooney’s effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Keelan Harte and later on a slick move was denied by Evan Lyons’ last-gasp interception.
Sligo who went in at the break a point to the good, 0-11 to 0-10, thanks to Alan McLoughlin’s pointed free on the hooter.
David Quinn was also impacting for the hosts - he kicked 0-03 in that opening half.
The second-half was eventually dominated by Down, although Sligo had pushed a point ahead, 0-19 to 0-18, by the 56th minute when Lee Deignan pointed from play - this followed a fine two-pointer free for Alan McLoughlin.
Down took charge when Ceilum Doherty goaled from close-range in the 57th minute and they outscored Sligo for the remainder, 1-07 to 0-02, with their second goal coming from the outstanding Havern.
Sligo will reflect on a series of wides when they won possession from Down kickouts and Niall Murphy’s goal shot was saved by Down custodian Ronan Burns when matters were still in the melting pot.
Sligo: Keelan Harte, Evan Lyons, Nathan Mullen, Luke Casserly, Conor Sheridan, Jack Lavin (0-01), Canice Mulligan, Luke Towey (0-01), Gavin Gorman, Lee Deignan (0-04, 1tpf), Alan McLoughlin (0-6, 1tpf, 3f), Daire O’Boyle (0-01), David Quinn (0-04), Cian Lally (0-01), Niall Murphy (0-03, 2f)
Subs: Darragh Cummins for Gavin Gorman, 50; Tommy Ross for Nathan Mullen, 50; Pat Spillane for Cian Lally, 58; Mark McDaniel for David Quinn, 61; Paul Kilcoyne for Conor Sheridan, 66
Down: Ronan Burns, Peter Fegan, Ryan McEvoy (0-01), Pierce Laverty, Callum Rogers, Shane Annett, Daniel Guinness (0-06, 1tp), Miceal Rooney, Odhran Murdock (0-02, 1 '45’), Ryan Magill, Ceilum Doherty (1-03), Adam Crimmins (0-02), Donal Scullion (0-01), Pat Havern (1-10, 5f), John McGeough
Subs: Patrick Brooks for Ryan Magill, 20; Liam Kerr for John McGeough, 42; Patrick McCarthy for Miceal Rooney, 50; Barry O’Hagan for Donal Scullion, 50; Eamonn Brown for Adam Crimmins, 67
Referee: Jonathan Hayes (Limerick)
