If ever a scoreline was misleading it was the 1-16 to 2-11 by which Offaly defeated Louth in Tullamore yesterday. Offaly, who had earlier fluffed three good goal-scoring chances, were apparently cruising to an easy win when they led 1-15 to 0-10 inside the final five minutes. However, their complacency was badly punished when the visitors got through for two goals in as many minutes to set up a grandstand finish.

Playing with first-half wind advantage Offaly led by 1-8 to 0-4 before allowing the Louth back into the game through points by JP Rooney, Martin Farrelly and David Reilly in the closing five minutes of the half. Offaly's lead might have been bigger if Ciaran McManus had not blazed wide from six yards in front of an open goal in the 19th minute. The third quarter was evenly contested, but then Offaly took over, picking off five points which went unanswered and opened up a lead of 1-15 to 0-10 despite two missed penalties.

Then, as Offaly sat back, they were rocked by Louth's defiance which saw JP Rooney place Simon Gerrard for a 69th-minute goal, followed in injury time by a second goal from Ollie McDonnell.

OFFALY: D Kelly; B Mooney, C Daly, J Brady; J Kilmurray, S Grennan, J Stewart; R Mooney, J Grennan; C Quinn (0-4), M Keenaghan (0-2), C McManus (0-8); D Claffey (1-0), P Kellaghan (0-1), D Connolly (0-1). Subs: P Mulvihill for B Mooney, R Malone for Claffey, P Moran for Kellaghan.

LOUTH: C Nally; S Gerrard (1-0), Denis Reilly, B Reilly; A Hoey, B Philips, P McGinnity; S Melia, J Holland; C Grimes (0-1), N Malone, M Farrelly (0-2); David Reilly (0-1), D Kirwan, JP Rooney (0-5). Subs: O McDonnell (1-0) for Kirwan, A O'Neill (0-1) for Hoey, K Callaghan (0-1) for Grimes, R Rooney for Holland.

Referee: N Barrett (Cork).