Leitrim stayed in line for promotion with a hard-earned win at Cusack Park, Mullingar yesterday.

The visitors had the better of the opening half, and wind-assisted Westmeath conceded a soft goal in the 16th minute when Joe Kieran's 35-metre free deflected off defenders to the net. Westmeath were confined to a brace of Ger Heavin points, and Leitrim led 1-4 to 0-2 at half-time.

Reinstated Westmeath manager Brendan Lowry gave his team a verbal lashing at half-time and they played much better in the second half. Four Joe Fallon points and a point each from Ger Heavin and Paul Conway had the teams level 0-8 to 1-5 in the 57th minute, and further points from John Cooney and Martin Murtagh eased the home side into a two-point lead by the 61st minute.

But Leitrim, inspired by their captain, Seamus Quinn, finished the better and late points from Pat Farrell (two), Ronan Haslette and Adrian Cullen sent their supporters in the 1,903 attendance home happy.

Leitrim: Gareth Phelan; D Kelleher, S Quinn, D Reynolds; D Lynch, C Murray, J Phelan; P Farrell (0-2), R Haslett (0-1); P Kieran (1-3), A Cullen (0-2), G Foley; E Rooney (0-1), F McBrine, P Kenny. Subs: P Flynn for D Lynch (29 mins); J McKeon for A Rooney (57 mins); P McDermott for P Kenny (58 mins).

Westmeath: A Lennon; P Rouse, D Mitchell, F Murray; D Healy, R Casey, M Murtagh (0-1); R O'Connell, P Conway (0-1); A Corcoran, D Gavin, J Corroon; J Fallon (0-4), J Cooney (0-1), G Heavin (0-4). Subs: S Deering for A Corcoran (42 mins); D Heavin for J Corroon (57 mins).

Referee: D Joyce (Galway).