ARMAGH continued their drive for promotion to Division One of the League when they held off a strong Westmeath challenge at Castletownegan.

Defeat for the mid landers consigns them to Division Three football next season.

There was drama before the game started when match referee, Michael Curley, from Galway, pulled a calf muscle and substitute referee, Bob McCormack from Longford, took over.

The Northerners dominated the first half and after 20 minutes led by 1-3 to 0-0 their goal coming in the 18th from Paul McGrane.

Westmeath's first score did not arrive until the 22nd minute when Eddie Casey scored the first their two first half points.

Rampant Armagh made Westmeath look very ordinary in that opening half and fully deserved their 1-6 to 0-2 interval lead.

A Westmeath revival began as early as the fourth minute of the second half when Ger Heavin scored a goal from the penalty spot after Larry Giles had been fouled.

The home followers had more to cheer about in the 43rd minute when Eddie Casey curled a 25 metre free all the way to the net.

The sides were now on level terms but Armagh, with points from Cathal O Rourke and Martin Toye, edged ahead with 10 minutes left.

Armagh brought on former All Star, Ger Houlihan, in an attempt to bolster their attack and they can feel somewhat fortunate to have secured both league points.