A point on the stroke of full-time earned a deserved draw for London in Mullingar yesterday. Westmeath had enjoyed a three-point lead at the interval - 0-5 to 0-2 - but London battled gamely to gain a share of the points.
The home side were left to rue some woeful inaccuracy as they hit 15 wides. Westmeath looked to be on course for victory midway through the second period but a brilliantly taken Mick Malone goal transformed the game.
London have half forward Barry Keane to thank as he pounced on a loose ball in the dying seconds to knock over the equaliser.
WESTMEATH: B Conaty; M Williams, B Murtagh, V Bateman; D Gallagher, D McCormack, N Gavin; P Williams (0-1), A Devine (0-1); P Clarke (0-1), G Gavin (0-1); A Mitchell (0-4), C Murtagh, B Williams (0-1). Subs: B Kennedy for Clarke, J Gavigan for B Williams, K Gorry for C Murtagh, A Mangan for O Devine, S McDonnell for P WIlliams.
LONDON: J Ryan; P Greene, R Devlin, PJ Horgan; M Reilly (0-1), T Lohan, J Howlin; B Crowe, R Reilly; B Keane (0-4), D Howlin, A McKenna; C Breen (0-1), S Linnane, M Malone (1-0). Sub: T Gallagher for P J Horgan.
Referee: Pat Neary (Kilkenny).
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