Roscommon 0-17 Carlow 1-9: Roscommon remain on course to achieve their aim of winning their first three league matches after overcoming Carlow in an open, high-scoring game at Hyde Park.

Manager Tommy Carr's team have now overcome Clare and Carlow and will head to London next week as strong favourites to gain another victory.

However, the home team had to battle hard to overcome a Carlow side who showed the 2,000 attendance that their recent wins over Dublin and Monaghan were not freak results. The teams were level with just 15 minutes to go before Roscommon upped their game significantly to pull away.

Carlow's goal was scored in first-half injury time. Thomas Walsh was tripped by Francie Grehan and a penalty was awarded by referee Pat Foxe although the offence looked to have taken place outside the small square. Simon Rea lashed a brilliant shot to the net to leave the sides level at the interval.

ROSCOMMON: R O'Reilly; R Cox, M Ryan, J Nolan; E Towey (0-1), F Grehan (0-1), P Noone; S O'Neill (0-3), B Higgins (0-1); D Connellan, J Hanly (0-1), G Cox (0-4); J Dunning (0-1), K Mannion (0-2), G Heneghan (0-2, one free). Subs: J Tiernan for Connellan (25 mins); N Dineen (0-1) for Dunning (46); J Rogers for Noone (55); E McCormack for Tiernan (66).

CARLOW: J Clarke; P Cashin, J Doyle, B English; S O'Brien, J Hayden, J Kavanagh; K Walker, M Brennan; B Carbery (0-2), P Hickey (0-1), M Carpenter; S Rea (1-3, goal from pen, 0-1 free, 0-1 45), B Kelly (0-2, frees), J Nevin (0-1). Subs: T Walsh for Carpenter (30 mins); D Byrne for Nevin (60); S Kavanagh for Kelly (64); C McCarthy for Cashin (65).

Referee: P Foxe (Westmeath).