Kildare 1-17; Down 1-10: Kildare consolidated their position in the Allianz Football League Division 1B with this impressive victory over a shapeless Down side at Pairc Esler in Newry yesterday.

While they cannot make the play-offs Kildare are safe from the threat of relegation. Down, however, will have to wait for next weekend's results to see if they too can survive the drop.

This was a magical display from Kildare, who controlled every sector of the field, with Killian Brennan and Ronan Sweeney dominating midfield and Tadgh Fennin and Martin Lynch excelling in attack.

Down's cause was not helped when midfielder Brian Burns went off injured with a recurrence of the leg injury which had kept him out for almost a year.

In an effort to revive their fortunes Down brought on 38-year-old Mickey Linden at half time but with little supply to their attack they continued to struggle.

Although the sides were level at three points each midway through the first half Kildare hit the front with a goal from John Doyle after 20 minutes. They continued to pick off points and led by 1-9 to 0-4 at half time.

Although Linden and Shane King had shot Down points within three minutes of the resumption Kildare soon returned to the attack, with Fennin, Lynch, Anthony Rainbow and Tom Harris all getting on the scoresheet.

In the final 10 minutes Down managed a goal from Aiden O'Prey but they failed again to pierce the sound Kildare defence.

DOWN: P Travers; J Clarke, C Byrne, B Grant; A Molloy, M Magill, S Poland; G McCartan (0-2), B Burns; J Lynch, A O'Prey (1-1), S Ward; R Murtagh (0-2), M Walsh, S King (0-3). Subs: S. Treanor for B Burns; M Linden (0-1) for J Lynch; R Sexton (0-1) for S. Ward.

KILDARE: E Murphy; J Wiltshire, P Mullarkey, K Doyle; T Harris (0-1), D Hendry, A Rainbow (0-2); K Brennan (0-1), R Sweeney; M Lynch (0-5), K O'Dwyer (0-1), J Doyle (1-0); T Fennin (0-6), B Murphy (0-1), S Smith. Sub: K Duane fort T Harris.

Referee: G Kinneavey (Roscommon).