DOWN and Roscommon, who had shadowed each other at the top of Division Three throughout the league, finally came face to face at the Orchard Park in Elphin yesterday.

As if to mirror their similar pedigrees, the game ended in a draw, 1-7 to 0-10. The single league point was enough to enable Down top the table and advance to the quarter-finals of the league. Roscommon must be content with promotion to division two.

Roscommon had a serious chance of winning. Wing-back Gerry Cregg slipped the ball past Down goalkeeper Michael McVeigh midway through the second half. They had led 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval, and the goal pushed their lead to four points.

It was to be their last score, however, as Down rallied in the final quarter, taking a strangle-hold in midfield. Jarlath Austin launched their fightback with a point 10 minutes from time and substitute Aidan Farrell shaved another point off the deficit in the 55th minute.

Urged on by a large contingent of supporters, they continued to press in the closing minutes. Full-forward Ciaran McCabe scored another point, and when the same player was fouled a minute later, `Shorty' Treanor tapped over the close-in free to equalise. Roscommon mounted two late attacks but shot wide on each occasion. At the other end of the table, Longford knew that a win could leave them with a chance of avoiding the drop. They needed Galway to beat Antrim - Galway duly obliged - but Longford could only muster a draw with Wexford, who were already relegated, in New Ross.

Goals from Jim Byrne and John Hegarty left the home side well in charge at the interval, 2-4 to 0-3, and further points left Longford trying to close a nine-point deficit.

They launched a terrific comeback, however, as Wexford failed to score in the remaining 23 minutes. A Padraig Davis goal in the 53rd minute left just one point between the teams and substitute" John Smith scored the equaliser with two minutes remaining[ to leave the sides deadlocked, but relegated, at 2-6 to 1-9.

Wicklow finished their league campaign with a good win over Westmeath at Mullingar, 3-8 to 1-9. The winners managed to seize the lead despite playing against a strong wind in the first half. Corner-forward Conan Daye did the damage with a goal after 18 minutes to leave them 1-2 to 0-3 ahead at the interval.

Centre half back Brian Whelan was sent off for a second bookable offence during the second half but a Stephen Byrne goal in the 41st minute left them six points in front and comfortable. Paul Conway replied with a goal for Westmeath, but Kevin O'Brien made the points secure for Wicklow with another goal two minutes from time.

Galway continued their recent surge of good form with a comprehensive 2-10 to 1-4 wind over Antrim at Ballinasloe. Galway led 2-4 to 1-4 at the interval despite playing against a strong wind, and took over completely in the second half. Wing back Sean de Paor scored their final point to maintain his record of scoring in every game.