A spectacular individual goal from Down midfielder Benny Coulter proved to be the decisive score in this tough and rumbustious game at Clones yesterday.

Thanks to Down's spendthrift finishing (they kicked 15 wides) Donegal were still well in contention when Coulter picked up possession around the halfway line. Goalkeeper Sean Sweeney saved brilliantly from his first effort but Coulter netted from the parry to leave Down 2-7 to 0-7 in front with just 13 minutes remaining.

Donegal rallied bravely, but could manage only two more points from frees as Down held out in a hectic final 10 minutes which saw a player from each side sent to the line. Down's first goal had been forced home by John Fagan in a goalmouth scramble.

DOWN: J Sloan; J Clarke, B Grant, M Doran; B Kearney, L Doyle, C Murtagh; B Coulter (1-1), L Sloan; D McGrady (0-1), M Walsh (0-2), R Murtagh (0-1), PJ McAlinden, J Fagan (1-2), R Sexton. Subs: G Digney for J Fagan (55 mins); J Turley for PJ McAlinden (56 mins).

DONEGAL: S Sweeney; M Maguire, P McConnigly, J Sweeney; S McDermott, P Gallagher, K Cassidy; B Boyle, E Sweeney; K Rafferty, JP Boyle (0-4), M McGinty (0-1), C McFadden (0-3), K McGlynn (0-1), D Alcorn. Subs: C Toye for K Cassidy (38 mins); D Breslin for K McGlynn (50 mins); P Rua McBride for D Allcorn (55 mins).

Referee: P Mullin (Antrim).