In a very poor game, Westmeath played the more constructive football and were well worth their draw with a rusty Derry team at Dean McGlinchey Park, Ballinascreen, yesterday. Derry will rue their failure to take advantage of the extra man after Westmeath's David Keane was dismissed midway through the second half for a foul on Johnny McBride.

Westmeath led by a point at the break, 0-7 to 0-6, despite falling a couple of points behind early on. Eamonn Burns was Derry's main threat, scoring six of his side's 10 points, all from frees. However, in Thomas Cleary, Westmeath had a similarly accurate player. He scored five points. Derry wasted two good opportunities for goals in the second half when Ronan Rocks and Dermot Dougan failed to find the net from close range. However, they led by a point by the 43rd minute, when Keane exited.

However, Westmeath responded in positive fashion and points from Cleary and Cathal Keane had them in front with three minutes remaining.

Derry seemed to find a second wind, and points from McBride and Burns put them one point ahead as the game entered injury time. But victory was denied them when Cleary pointed with virtually the last kick of the game.