Down seconds players pulled off the greatest of great escapes in Donegal last weekend.

Two goals in arrears with just five minutes to go, they roared back to make it 2-2 and could possibly even have stolen all the points in the closing stages.

This Junior 4 contest should have been played at Malone Park in Downpatrick, but because the locals failed to travel north last October, they had to concede home advantage.

And they will be wondering what could have happened if the game had been played at home and the impact the result would have had on the current league standings.

Down are currently in fourth place behind Instonians, Bangor and Kilkeel, three teams they still have to play in the title run-in. If the locals keep their heads and everyone stays fit, a return to Junior 3 could just be on the cards.

But back to Donegal, a place where many teams find it particularly hard to pick up points, given the long journey which is involved to get to Royal and Prior school ground.

The travelling took its toll on Down in the first half; they lacked cohesion and rarely threatened the Raphoe 'keeper who had a very quiet afternoon.

Having said that, his opposite number, Mark Johnston, wasn't sweating profusely as a result of the pressure he was put under, as Alasdair Duff and Trevor McClurg were outstanding at the heart of the Down defence.

Up front, Ashley Gibson and Paul Neill were lively for Down, while Colin Gibson and Raymond McClurg covered every inch of ground over the 70 minutes. In fact Ashley had a shot cleared off the line, while Neill struck the base of the post with a rasping drive.

The first half ended scoreless and Down were confident their normal flowing game would click into gear in the second period, but it was the home side which scored twice with two scrappy goals.

The first game when a short corner strike was cruelly deflected past Johnston by one his defenders, while the second came as a result of a goalmouth scramble.

Down tried to force their way back into the game, but it looked as though it was going to be one of those games; plenty of chances but not goals.

The Raphoe players were keen to run down the clock with five minutes to go, but it proved a big mistake.

Gibson drove home a superb short corner strike before Neill rocked the home defence with a second goal for the visitors just two minutes later. It was all one-way traffic at this stage and while Down pushed for the winner, they ran out of time and it was the home side grateful for the final whistle.

Both sides meet again this Saturday at Malone Park in a first round game in the Ulster Junior Shield.