Roscommon, the leaders of the division, failed to impress when struggling to overcome pointless London in a poor contest at Hyde Park.

In the end, a goal from corner forward, Frankie Dolan, was all that separated the sides. The score came at just the right time for the winners, who had surrendered a three-point interval lead and were being outplayed by the exiles. Fergal O'Donnell hit the upright and the rebound fell to Lorcan Dowd, who put Dolan clear for the goal after 24 minutes of the second half.

Roscommon led 0-6 to 0-3 at the break, five of their points coming off the boot of full-forward, Nigel Dineen, but three points from London midfielder, Noel Harrington, and another from wing back, Tommy Feehan, helped bring the score level at 0-7 each after 11 minutes of the second half.

Roscommon lined out without Damien Donlon and Eddie Logan from their original selection, but were forced to bring in substitutes, Fergal O'Donnell, Michael Ryan and Lorcan Dowd in the second half to help them secure the points.

Roscommon: D Thompson; R O'Callaghan, R Owens, E Gavin; C Heneghan, C McDonald, M Towey; J Kane, D Connellan (0-1); C Connelly, F Grehan (0-2), A Nolan; T Grehan, N Dineen (0-6, four frees), F Dolan (1-1). Subs: F O'Donnell for T Grehan; M Ryan for O'Callaghan; L Dowd for Nolan.

London: D Kelly; B McDonagh, D Jordan, B McShane; T Feehan (0-1), C Wilson, F Downey; S O'Brien, N Harrington (0-3); J Gormley (0-1), T Maguire (0-1), P Goggins; A Delaney, S O'Sullivan (0-3, frees), J Grimes. Subs: S Gaffney for Feehan; E Reilly (0-1) for Delaney.

Referee: J Harlin, Meath.