Missed chances cost Louth victory against Offaly in Drogheda in what was an exciting match with the score swinging one way and then the other.

The home side, however, wasted too many chances that in the end denied them victory. Colin Kelly gave Louth the lead a minute from time with a 50 metre free, which looked good enough to earn victory. However, there was time for Mel Keenaghan to level the match with his third point of the game.

Kelly a half-time substitute, almost snatched victory for Louth with the last kick of the game; but his effort from the sideline dropped just under the crossbar and Padraic Kelly cleared.

The home side opened the scoring from Mark Stanfield, but Ciaran McManus levelled after three minutes.

Ollie McDonnell restored Louth's lead with Donie Ryan cancelling it out after six minutes.

The match followed a similar pattern throughout, with Louth twice building up two-point leads, only for Offaly to strike back on both occasions.

The scores were tied at 0-7 each at the interval with Louth the less happy entering the dressing-room having spurned several scoring chances.

LOUTH: C Nally; B Philips, S Melia, D Shevlin; J Neary, N Malone, S Gerrard; M Farrelly (0-1), K Reilly; M Stanfield (0-7, 4 frees), S O'Hanlon, D Reilly (0-1); C O'Hanlon, O McDonnell (0-2), J P Rooney. Subs: C Grimes for K Reilly (half-time); C Kelly (0-1 free) for C O'Hanlon (half-time); A O'Neill for J P Rooney (55 mins).

OFFALY: P Kelly; C Daly, G Rafferty, G Comerford; D Quinn, F Cullen, J Brady; C McManus (0-3 frees), A McNamee; C Quinn (0-1), K Claffey, M Daly; D Ryan (0-1), M Keenaghan (0-3), V Claffey (0-4, 1 free). Subs: K Slattery for D Quinn (15 mins); B O'Brien for M Daly (47 mins); R Malone for K Claffey (52 mins); B Malone for D Ryan (60 mins).

Referee: M McBrien (Fermanagh).