Two late points from substitutes Bernard Butler and Eddie Lohan gave Roscommon a dramatic win over All-Ireland finalists Cork in this incident-packed fixture at Hyde Park yesterday.

The home side appeared to be heading for a comfortable win when they led 1-8 to 1-1 at the interval, following an inspired first-half display from Derek Duggan. However, Cork made a series of substitutions for the second half and points from Michael O'Sullivan and Philip Clifford shortly after the break were followed by a goal from Bernie Collins.

Cork were gifted a chance of drawing level when substitute Liam Collins was brought down by Ronan Owens for a penalty, However, Clifford saw his spot kick rebound off the crossbar.

Roscommon squandered two excellent chances in the closing 10 minutes when Frankie Dolan forced a magnificent save from goalkeeper Kevin O'Dwyer and John Gilhooly also failed to find the net when a point would have sufficed.

Those missed chances looked even more costly three minutes from full time when Owen Sexton helped put Cork substitute Mark Lewis through for their third goal to leave it level.

However, late second-half substitutes Butler and Lohan then came to Roscommon's rescue with late points in the final two minutes.

ROSCOMMON: D Thompson; D Gavin, J Whyte, R Owens; D Donlon, B Bourke, B Mannion; J Gilhooly, D Casserly; C Connelly, D Duggan (1-4, 3 frees), S Casey; N Dineen (0- 1), S Lohan (0-2), F Dolan (0-3). Subs: B Butler (0-1) for Connelly; E Lohan (0-1) for Gavin.

CORK: K O'Dwyer; M O'Donovan, S Og O hAilpin, R McCarthy; G Canty, O Sexton, D Creedon; N Murphy, M O'Sullivan (1-2); C Crowley, B Collins (1-0), B O'Sullivan; P Clifford (0-2, frees), J Canty, F Murray. Subs: T Deasy for Murray; L Collins for Murphy; M Lewis (1-0) for J Canty; P Murphy for B Collins; A Dorgan for Crowley. Referee: S McCormack (Meath).