IT was typical of Adrian Cush that he should be at the heart of another remarkable Tyrone escape. He scored the equalising point which brought the Ulster champions back from the brink of a preliminary round defeat to set up Sunday's replay.

Preferring to ignore his six-point contribution, he praised the battling qualities of his team mates. Tyrone had knuckled down to the task of dragging themselves back into contention as they have done so often before.

"This Tyrone team has been through things like that before; we have been in much worse situations than four-points behind with 20 minutes to go. Even when their second goal went in, I had every confidence we would come back. And in the end we had more chances to win it than they had.

"Since 1994, we have had a never-say-die spirit and every member of the team contributes to that. Today was no different."

The Down manager, Pete McGrath," was less than happy with Donegal referee Mick McGrath, who booked six of his players and sent off Peter Withnall. "If I was a Down supporter, I would be very disappointed with the referee's performance."

Down's veteran attacker John Treanor, who contributed five points, dismissed suggestions that his side may have missed out. "We were in the diving seat but perhaps we sat back and allowed them to take the initiative.

"Like all good Tyrone teams, they came at us and carried the game to us. But we have to admit that we allowed them back into it. But I don't think we have missed our chance; we can come back and, hopefully, we will have 15 players for the full game next time.

"We have a few players who can play a bit better than they did today and, hopefully, we will get a few things ironed out during the week."