Down qualified for the All Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round two after a gallant over London in Pairc Esler on Saturday night.

After a first-half in which they excelled with fast, open and attractive play to which London had no answer, Down almost collapsed in the third quarter.

They lost their grip on the game as London roared into the match, scored an unanswered goal and four points to reduce the Down lead to three points.

Down weathered the storm, got their football act together and nine minutes from time produced the score of the game, which saw Benny Coulter finish a brilliant three man move with a goal that set them up for victory.

In those final ten minutes London failed to score, but the manner in which the visitors showed up flaws in the Down side must be worrying for the management.

Down, with Dan Gordon and Stephen Kearney dominating in midfield, controlled the first-half despite Paul Geraghty giving London the lead with a point after twenty seconds. Danny Hughes, Gordon and Conor Garvey with two points each set the trend.

Kevin Downes pointed a London free, but three points from John Boyle and two from Paul McCumiskey steered Down into a 0-12 to 0-3 half time lead. They could have been further ahead but for two brilliant saves by London goalkeeper Brian McBrearty from Conor Maginn and Coulter.

London restarted and Geraghty, Kevin McMenamin and Padraig Duffy scored two points each as

Down struggled to contain them. When substitute Chris Donnellan sent to the Down net after a shot from McMenamin had been blocked suddenly the home side’s lead was reduced to three points.

That, however, was London’s last score.

In the final quarter Down regained their composure with points from Danny Hughes and Paul McCumiskey substitute Ronan Sexton.

When Coulter grabbed a goal Down were back in control and finished with two more points for a non-too impressive victory.

Down: B. McVeigh; C. McGovern, K. McKernan, D. Rafferty; T. Hanna, P. Murphy, C. Garvey (0-2); D. Gordon (0-2), S. Kearney; D. Hughes (0-3), C. Maginn, B. McArdle (0-2, 0-1 free); B. Coulter (1-0), P. McCumiskey (0-3,0-1 free), J. Boyle (0-3,0-1 45). Subs: C. Murney for T. Hanna (35); P. Fitzpatrick for S. Kearney (53); R. Sexton (0-1) for B. McArdle (53); D. O’Hanlon for K. McKernan (55); A. Rogers for C. Maginn (68).

London: B. McBrearty; D. Conlon, P. Malone, B. Comer; J. Hughes, E. O Cuiv, C. Beirne; P. Geraghty (0-1), F. McMahon; A. Murray, P. Duffy (0-2), K. Downes (0-2 frees); O. Coffey, K. McMenamin (0-2), D. Keating. Subs: C. Donnellan (1-0) for D. Keating (ht); R. Ormsby for O. Coffey (ht); C. McCallon for A. Murray (55).

Referee: P. Fox (Westmeath).