Down seconds went undefeated at home last season.

It was a proud record but the feat won't be repeated in 2010/11 as the locals lost their opening Junior 3 game last Saturday at Malone Park.

Armagh seconds went home with all three points which disappointed the locals as they probably should, on the balance of play, earned a draw.

The game was played on a poor surface as a result of last Saturday's heavy rain and at one staged it looked as though it would not start at all.

Armagh showed what a tough nut they will be to crack this season and home goalkeeper, Mark Johnston, had to be alert early on to keep his side in the game.

The prolific Mark Elliott opened the scoring for Down in the 18th minute when he did what he does best; popping up unnoticed in the penalty area to score.

Johnston then produced a few timely saves which enabled the home side to preserve its slender one goal advantage going into the break.

In the second period, Armagh stepped it up a gear and within five minutes of the restart were back on level terms with a well-worked goal.

With just under 20 minutes to go, Armagh scored to take the lead for the first time in the game and Down pressed forward in the closing stages in search of a late equaliser.

Tate again went close as did Sinclair White and Mark Graham but the Armagh men hung on and were delighted to leave with three points.

This weekend Down travel to Lisburn to face South Antrim seconds in the what promises to be yet another tough game. In fact the ironic thing is Down seconds will probably be playing in a higher standard of hockey this season than the club's senior side.