NFL DIVISION THREE: Westmeath 1-19 Waterford 1-14:TEN POINTS from Dessie Dolan just about saw Westmeath home at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

His guile, expertise and skill were simply too much for the Waterford defence but it still took two late saves by Gary Connaughton to keep the home side in the game. Waterford played for 40-odd minutes with just 14 men after full back Thomas O’Gorman was sent off for a second yellow card just before the break.

From the 25th to the 46th minute Westmeath scored 10 unanswered points and looked set for a comfortable win but a late rally and a great goal from Mark Ferncombe put Waterford right back into the game.

As the game ticked into added time there were just two points between the sides but time was almost up when Westmeath midfielder Denis Corroon finished off a great move with a goal that put a gloss on their win.

This win allied to other results in the division puts Westmeath back in the promotion frame

WESTMEATH:G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Gaffey; C Jordan (0-1), A Finnan, D Harte; B Murtagh (0-1), D Corroon (1-0); F Wilson (0-2), D Glennon, P Sharry; P Greville (0-5, frees), D Dolan (0-10, six frees), D Glennon. Subs: S Quinn for Sharry (53 mins), T Warburton for Jordan (62 mins), R English for Murtagh, R Doyle for Boyle (both 65 mins), P Tormey for Doyle (72 mins).

WATERFORD: K Cotter (0-1, 45); M O'Gorman, T O'Gorman, K Connery; W Hennessy, S Briggs, J Hurney; J Veale, B Phelan; B Wall (0-5, frees), P Hurney (0-1), T Connors; S Fleming, T Prendergast (0-2), M Ferncombe (1-4, three frees). Subs: T Grey for Briggs (10 mins), C O'Keeffe (0-1) for Grey (half-time), M O'Gorman for Fleming (53 mins), JJ Hutchinson for Connors (56 mins), K Power for Phelan (62 mins).

Referee: E O'Grady (Leitrim).