NFL DIVISION TWO Donegal 1-12 Meath 0-10:DONEGAL'S HOPES of Division One football next year were given a boost on Saturday night in Ballybofey.

Meath lost a man in each half but despite that were within a point of Donegal with six minutes left. However, the numerical advantage proved the difference as Donegal added four points without reply.

Donegal led by four points after seven minutes but there were negatives in between that will exercise their management. After a poor start, Meath were level at the break 0-6 each, thanks to the prompting of Joe Sheridan but by that stage they had lost Peadar Byrne to a second yellow card.

A Michael Murphy goal early in the second half pushed Donegal five clear but despite losing substitute Brian Meade to a straight red for a high tackle on Michael Murphy, Meath got back within a point.

“I was impressed with a lot of things but obviously there would be loads of things also we would not be happy with,” said Donegal manager John Joe Doherty.

Donegal have Armagh at home in the final game with their promotion hopes in their own hands.

DONEGAL: P Durcan; S Boyle, N McGee, K Lacey; M Maguire (0-1), A Thompson, F McGlynn; N Gallagher, B Boyle; B Dunnion, C Dunne (0-1), K Cassidy (0-1); C McFadden (0-2, two frees), M Murphy (1-6, two frees), S Griffin. Subs: D Walsh (0-1)for Dunnion (47 mins), A Hanlon for Griffin (56 mins), L McLoone for B Boyle (64 mins).

MEATH: P O'Rourke; C O'Connor (0-1), N McKeigue, E Harrington; A Moyles, C McGuinness, M Burke (0-2); N Crawford, M Ward (0-1); S Kenny, S O'Rourke (0-1), O Lewis; C Ward (0-1), J Sheridan (0-2), S Bray. Subs: P Byrne (0-1)for McKeigue (12 mins), G O'Brien for Bray (half-time), J Queeney (0-1, free)for C Ward (48 mins).

Referee: M Sludden(Tyrone).