CORK hardly played like All-Ireland favourites, but they remain on course for promotion from Division Two after struggling to overcome bottom side Westmeath in difficult conditions at Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday.

A goal alter lust two minutes and a second near the end proved invaluable to Cork as Westmeath, who never led at any stage, look poised for third division football next season.

But in between Cork experienced great difficulty in keeping the visitors at bay and they were only assured of victory when substitute John O'Driscoll forced home their second goal following Steven O'Brien's long pass which caught out the defence.

Westmeath must have felt confident of getting at least a draw in an exciting finish. Points from midfielder Tom Ormsby and John Murray, who was switched from centre back to centre forward in the final 10 minutes, left Cork clinging to a 1-7 to 0-9 lead.,

Cork were also grateful for their opening goal, the game's first score. It stemmed from a misplaced pass by Murray straight to right half forward Martin Cronin, who duly accepted the gift to score with a well placed shot from six yards.

It was a dreadful start for Westmeath, who gave away another score - a point by Colin Corkery - after 15 minutes. He took advantage of an attempted pass from defence to find the range with an accurate shot.

Westmeath eventually settled. Ormsby and Rory O'Connell gave as good as they got in their midfield battle with Liam Honohan and Danny Culloty, while Eddie Casey always looked the more likely forward to test a solid home defence in which Mark O'Connor was inspirational at full back.

Cork, who led by 1-3 to 0-4 at the interval, added two fine long-range points from Corkery and Culloty, with substitute Martin Flanagan sandwiching one for Westmeath in between, as the third quarter came to a close.

Then the visitors thought they should have been awarded a penalty, when Cork defender Tadhg Og Lynch misdirected a pass to Ger Heavin who sent John Heming away. He bore down on the Cork goal, but just as he attempted to shoot, corner back, Donal O'Callaghan nipped in with a timely challenge to sweep the ball away. Westmeath claimed Fleming was pushed, but referee Willie O'Mahony waved play on.