Two points from Kieran McDonald in the closing five minutes gave Mayo a narrow win over Roscommon at Ballyhaunis yesterday.

Aided by the strong wind, Mayo led by 0-4 to 0-0 after just 10 minutes and by 0-7 to 0-2 at the break.

Roscommon got back into the game with the help of a fortunate goal five minutes after the break when Eddie Lohan's 45 ended in the Mayo net. With 10 minutes to go they drew level, but then McDonald produced the match-winning points. Roscommon's Niall O'Donoghue and Mayo's Fergal Costello were sent off for trivial offences in the second half.

Mayo: P Burke; K Morley, T Morley, F Costello; R Connelly, D Heaney, N Connelly; P Fallon, D Brady; J Horan (0-1), K McDonald (0-2), G McNicholas; D Byrne (0-5), D Sweeney, R Dempsey (0-1). Subs: C McManamon for McNicholas, J Nallen for T Morley, K Mortimer for K Morley, M Sheridan for Horan.

Roscommon: R Lannon; S Staunton, R Owens, M Kelly; M Ryan, E Gavin, C McDonnell; G Keane (0-1), A Nolan; F Grehan, T Grehan, E Lohan (1-2); N O'Donoghue, J Neary, T Lennon. Subs: L Dowd (0-1) for Lennon, R Doorey for Owens, F O'Donnell for T Grehan, D Duggan for F Grehan.

Referee: M Gibbons (Galway).