Armagh 2-10 Westmeath 0-12:Armagh and Westmeath will both share Division Two status in next year's NFL - and the Orchard County have cause for relief.

Prior to this thrilling victory at Crossmaglen, they faced an ignominious drop into Division Three but a combination of experience, grit and sublime finishing from Steven McDonnell lessened the impact of their demotion.

Yet for long periods yesterday Westmeath threatened to heap further agony on Joe Kernan's side. The visitors began well and three frees from Fergal Wilson gave them a 0-3 to 0-1 lead.

But Armagh settled after McDonnell found the net in the 14th minute and they led 1-6 to 0-6 at the break, despite missing three more goal opportunities.

Westmeath managed just one point from play before the break through John Connellan in the 30th minute as Armagh dominated through Paul McGrane, Diarmuid Marsden and the outstanding McDonnell.

In the third quarter points from Dessie Dolan (two) and Wilson brought the sides level at 1-6 to 0-9 and the teams were level on a further three occasions.

But with three minutes remaining Aaron Kernan swept over a superb point before McDonnell pounced for a goal after goalkeeper Gary Connaughton had fumbled a sideline free from Oisín McConville

ARMAGH: P Hearty; E McNulty, F Bellew, F Moriarty; A Kernan (0-2), K McGeeney, B Donaghy; P McGrane, K Toner; J Lavery, D Marsden (0-1), M O'Rourke; S McDonnell (2-4, 0-2 frees), P Loughran (0-1), P McKeever (0-1), Subs: O McConville (0-1), for Toner (31 mins). P Keenan for Lavery (40 mins), P Duffy for Moriarty (58 mins), S Kernan for McKeever (58 mins) P McClennand for O'Rourke (75 mins)

WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; F Boyle, M Ennis, J Keane; K Gavin, D O'Donoghue (0-1), D Heavin; D Healy, D O'Shaughnessy; F Wilson (0-5, four frees), D Dolan (0-5, four frees), P Bannon; A Mangan, M Flanagan, D Glennon Subs: J Connellan (0-1) for Gavin (27 mins), D Duffy for Bannon (35 mins), G Dolan for Flanagan (66 mins).

Referee: M Deegan (Laois)