It may have taken a while to arrive, but Down's senior side picked up its first win of the season at Malone Park last weekend.

The home side played some great hockey and there was an added bonus with the return to action of Gavin Ringland following a nasty back injury. Ringland's return was one of the many positives on the day, with Mark Elliott (also back after a lengthy lay-off) weighing in with a brace.

Down were due a win, but they were made to work for hard for it. Armagh will feel they did enough to take something from the game; the fact they didn't was due to some excellent defending and an outstanding performance in goal by skipper Jeremy McCready.

After a disappointing start to the season, things are looking brighter for Down. Richard Owens has returned, providing a major boost for the side, and the locals can look forward to the New Year with confidence.

There is a better balance to the side and while Down have no aspirations to win the title, they will want to finish in the top four and can look forward to two games against Ballynahinch in 2014.

Down took the lead against a doggedly determined Armagh side in the fourth minute. Elliott was sent clear by Alasdair Duff, but the former was unceremoniously upended by the 'keeper and the umpire had no hesitation pointing to the spot.

Up stepped Chris Taylor who made no mistake with the ball flying into the net past the 'keeper who was beaten all ends up.

Down failed to increase their lead before the break, but they did create a number of chances which they failed to put away. Elliott set up a brilliant opportunity for Mark Graham, but the unmarked winger somehow managed to screw the ball wide of the post when it looked easier to score into an empty net.

Graham then had another opportunity to double his side's advantage, but he again failed to find the back of the net.

Elliott also had a few half-chances to increase Down's lead before the interval, while McCready did not have a lot to do, compared to the saves he was forced to make in the second period.

The second half was just five minutes old when Down scored a second goal. Jordan Aidey was the architect of the goal with his pass picking out Taylor who fed Elliott, with the forward making no mistake from inside the penalty area with a crisp finish.

Armagh halved the deficit after Down lost possession at a short corner at the other end of the pitch. The ball was driven forward and a mix-up in the heart of the home defence allowed a forward to slip the ball past McCready.

The Down 'keeper was then in thick of the action for a time, having to produce a number of saves to keep his side in the game. Even when Taylor teed up Elliott from a short corner to make it 3-1, Armagh continued to press, with the home side glad their 'keeper was in inspired from.

Ringland's introduction from the substitutes' bench was a welcome sight for the home supporters and Down can now enjoy their Christmas break and prepare for their first game in 2014 away to Portrush on January 11.