National Football League Division Two A/ Roscommon 0-12; Monaghan 1-4: Monaghan offered meek resistance at Dr Hyde Park yesterday as Roscommon led all the way, with Frankie Dolan in impressive form from frees.

Roscommon raced into a five-point lead after 15 minutes through Gary Cox, Dolan (two frees), Karol Mannion and Ronan Cox.

Monaghan battled gamely against the gale-force wind but failed to take their chances. However, Roscommon were equally culpable, as it took the home side another 25 minutes to register a score - a Dolan free in the 30th minute. The corner forward added another three minutes later. Substitute Rory Woods opened Monaghan's account with a free on 35 minutes, before the same player swapped points with Gary Cox.

Monaghan trailed 0-8 to 0-2 at the interval, and with wind advantage they mounted the expected second-half revival. Within 25 seconds of the restart, Tomás Freeman found the net and he added a point to reduce the arrears to three. But they scored only one more point, from Dick Clerkin in the 64th minute.

Cox, Nigel Dineen, Mannion and Seamus O'Neill kicked further scores to put Roscommon's promotion hopes back on track. Gary Cox harshly received a red card for a heavy tackle, while, in a separate incident, Monaghan's James Conlon was also dismissed after receiving two yellow cards.

ROSCOMMON: S Curran; R Cox, M Ryan, P Noone; E Towey, F Grehan, J Rogers; S O'Neill (0-1), B Higgins; G Cox (0-2), J Hanley, R Cox (0-1); N Dineen (0-1), K Mannion (0-2), F Dolan (0-5, frees). Subs: J Tiernan for R Cox (58 mins); J Egan for J Hanley (69 mins).

MONAGHAN: G Murphy; J Conlon, J Coyle, E Lennon; G McQuaid, JP Mone, F Doogan; E Lennon, J Hughes; N Corrigan, D Clerkin (0-1), D McArdle; T Freeman (1-1), R Ronaghan, K Tavey. Subs: R Woods (0-2)for Tavey (23 mins); K Finlay for Corrigan (62 mins); P McKenna for Hughes (71 mins).

Referee: Aidan Mangan (Kerry)