NFL/Division 2B; Meath 1-11; Longford 1-7 Meath received a scare from unfancied Longford before clinching a place in the semi-finals of Division Two and, more importantly, promotion to the top flight, in Navan yesterday.

After appearing to be cruising to their expected victory, the home side was hit by an attacking barrage from the visitors in the closing stages. The hot favourites would have been toppled but for two crucial saves by Cormac Sullivan.

The first of those, from Trevor Smullen, was quite magnificent with the International Rules goalkeeper diving to get a hand to a net-bound drive.

In between the two saves, Longford centre forward Paul Barden raced through and finished narrowly wide.

After the sides were level three times, Meath took control to lead by 1-6 to 0-3 at the break with Richie Kealy grabbing the goal after Gavin Tonra kept out an attempt by Graham Geraghty.

Smullen netted Longford's goal six minutes after the restart but when Meath replied with three quick points, the script was going according to plan. But then Meath could only manage a single point in the last quarter as they had their backs to the wall.

MEATH: C Sullivan; M O'Reilly, C Murphy, P Shankey; P Reynolds, T Giles, S Kenny; N Crawford, A Moyles; E Kelly (0-2), G Geraghty (0-2), N Nestor (0-2); R Kealy (1-2), D Curtis (0-1), O Murphy. Subs: J Cullinane (0-1) for Moyles, R McGee for Kelly, A Kenny (0-1) for Nestor, D Regan for O Murphy.

LONGFORD: G Tonra; S Carroll, F Coyle, D Ledwith; D Blessington, C Keogh, E Ledwith; L Keenan, A O'Connor; R Clyne, P Barden (0-2), P Ross; M Kenny, P Davis (0-5), T Smullen (1-0). Subs: D Barden for Ross, I Browne for Keenan, N Sheridan for Kenny, C Conefrey for E Ledwith.

Referee: S McGonigle (Donegal).