NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Laois 0-13 Kildare 1-10:A BETTING MAN would have backed this Division One game at Portlaoise yesterday to end all square, not because both Laois and Kildare had a draw to their credit in earlier rounds but because for the last two seasons they had ended all square.

If the GAA decide to fine teams for false information then both would be in the dock this week. Kildare, after posting a weakened team earlier in the week, made four more changes in the dressingroom and Laois decided to withdraw their most influential forwards, Michael Tierney and Brian McCormack, before the start.

Laois were by far the more impressive from the throw-in and hit a succession of points from Brian McDonald and Ross Munnelly.

Kildare opened their account with points from Tadhg Fennin and Karl Ennis and at the break, a late Brian McDonald free saw the home side go in leading 0-8 to 0-3.

If anybody thought Kildare were not that interested they got their answer as within five minutes of the start of the second half, the teams were level. A dubious penalty award was converted by Ronan Sweeney for the visitors, followed by points from Fennin and Michael Hartnett.

Kildare then went two points clear and seemed to be coasting. But in the closing minutes, Laois forward John O'Loughlin, described by Kildare coach Kieran McGeeney as "something special", cut the deficit to the minimum, and a close-in free was converted by McDonald.

Once again refereeing was in the spotlight as Brian Tyrell issued 14 yellow cards in what was generally a sporting contest.

LAOIS:M Nolan; C Ryan, M Timmons, C Healy; P O'Leary, D Rooney; P McMahon (0-1); B Quigley, J O'Loughlin (0-1); R Munnelly (0-1), P Lawlor (0-2), B Sheehan (0-1); P Dunne, C Kelly (0-1, St Joseph's), B McDonald (0-6). Subs: K Meaney for Dunne; C Parkinson for Meaney inj.

KILDARE:T Corley; E Bolton, D Hendy, M O'Flaherty; B Flanagan, E Callaghan, M Wright; D Flynn (0-1), D Earley; K Ennis (0-1), R Sweeney (1-0), M Hartnett (0-2); A Kelly (0-1), A Barry, T Fennin (0-4). Subs: K Cribbin for Barry, P Mullarkey (0-1) for Kelly, A McLoughlin for Flanagan.

Referee:B Tyrell (Tipperary).