Martin and Dolan hit the net in Westmeath win

Westmeath 2-7 Longford 1-8

Kieran Martin and Dessie Dolan grabbed the goals as Westmeath claimed another tight Allianz League Division 2 win at Pearse Park.

In a tight encounter Westmeath struck two goals in the second half to seize the initiative and the visitors, despite a late burst of Longford pressure, were able to hold on.

At the start of this hard-fought clash, Longford settled with two Seanie McCormack frees to give Glenn Ryan's outfit an early advantage.

Westmeath, though, were running the ball impressively and forwards Callum McCormack, Denis Glennon, and Dessie Dolan offered glimpses of their ability.

McCormack, Denis Cooroon and John Heslin landed points for Westmeath who led by 0-3 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter.

It was tight and tense with Robbie Smyth and McCormack trading points before Longford pounced for a brilliant 28th minute goal.

McCormack, such an opportunist inside, gathered a Donal McElligott pass and burst through a cluster of bodies to rifle home an unstoppable goal.

That was the most significant blow in the opening 35 minutes and it provided Longford with a real injection of confidence. Two minutes later Seanie McCormack clipped over a routine free, ensuring Longford went in at the break protecting a 1-4 to 0-4 lead.

Longford survived a scare three minutes after the restart when Heslin's delivery was flicked goalwards by Kieran Martin, but Barry

Gilleran hacked it off the line.

However, Westmeath were back on terms in the 44th minute when Ronan Foley made space for Martin, who lashed a delightful shot to the back of the Longford net.

By now the football was error-strewn with the cold and wet conditions a factor as both teams struggled. Seanie McCormack struck a free and then nailed an excellent effort from play as Longford edged two ahead, but Westmeath replied.

Punishing a defensive lapse in concentration Callum McCormack fed Dessie Dolan, who smashed the ball past the advancing Damien Sheridan.

Heslin added two frees in quick succession and suddenly Westmeath had a 2-6 to 1-6 cushion with only 10 minutes remaining.

Longford's attacking hopes were pinned on Seanie McCormack, who obliged with another splendid point, but Westmeath continued to frustrate the hosts.

In the last minute of normal time Seanie McCormack curled over a free to cut the deficit, but Westmeath held on for a satisfying success.