Pete McGrath's Down became the first side to reach the Division Two semi-finals when they defeated Carlow by a four point margin in an uninspiring game at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday.

The Ulster county played poorly, never reaching anything like the heights of previous victories over Monaghan, Kildare, Longford and Waterford.

Carlow fielded without any players from Leinster club champions O'Hanrahan's when Mark Carpenter ('flu) and Alan Bowe (injured) could not line out.

However, the home county gave Down plenty of anxious moments and, but for an obvious lack of self-belief, could have pulled off a major shock.

Down shot eight wides in the opening half and led by a slender 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval, having played with the wind.

A brace of Carlow points early in the second half from midfielder Stephen O'Brien and full forward Johnny Nevin levelled the match. Carlow had chances to go in front but spurned them all.

Down eventually punished the home county in the 20th minute of the second half. Carlow gave the ball away once too often and Down corner forward Shane Ward took full advantage to crash home the game's only goal and assure his side a place in the knock-out stages.

DOWN: M McVeigh; K McGrath, C Byrne, B Grant; M McMurray, M Magill, B Kearney; M Doyle, A Mollo; S Mulholland, M Walsh (0-4), B Coulter; R Murtagh, A O'Prey (0-2), S Ward (1- 1). Subs: J Fagan for Mulholland, C Daly (0-3) for Fagan.

CARLOW: J Kearns; J Hickey, C Kelly, V Fleming; J McGrath, J Byrne, M Drea; S O'Brien (0-2), S Kavanagh; P Nolan (0-2), W Quinlan, J Kavanagh (0-2); E McGarry, J Nevin (0-3), B Kelly. Subs: C McDonald for Kelly, J Hickey for McGrath.

Referee: S Kearney (Cork).