In arrears for over three-quarters of the match, Westmeath staged a late rally to snatch the points at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

Louth looked the better team in the opening half and with Alan Doherty showing excellent accuracy from frees, they deservedly led at the break by 0-6 to 0-2. But they were reduced to 14 men when midfielder Ken Reilly was sent off in the 47th minute. Westmeath made good use of the extra player and a brace of points from Anthony Coyne narrowed the gap.

With just seven minutes remaining, the midlanders got the decisive score when a fine move engineered by Kieran Ryan and Martin Flanagan was finished to the net by Shane Colleary. A little over a minute later, Ger Heavin slotted over the match-winning point.

WESTMEATH: A Lennon; D Brady, R Casey, D Mitchell; D Healy, J Cooney, A Lyons; R O'Connell, K Ryan; A Coyne (0-3), P Conway, S Colleary (1-0); G Heavin (0-2), M Flanagan, K Lyons (0-1). Subs: E Casey for P Conway; L Gillivan for R O'Connell; D Martin for A Coyne.

LOUTH: N O'Donnell; N Malone, G O'Neill, S Gerard; S Melia, B Phillips, J Clerkin; A O'Neill (0-1), K Reilly; N Sharkey (0-1), C Kelly, A Rooney; D Reilly (0-1), C O'Hanlon (0-1), A Doherty (0-4). Subs: J Moroney for A Rooney; B Keenan for N Sharkey.

Referee: K Walsh (Clare).