A late scoring burst in the last four minutes when they scored 2-2 without reply, gave fancied Meath a somewhat flattering 10-point win over Westmeath in this Section B game played before an attendance of 6,000 at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

Meath led from start to finish and playing a brand of fast and intelligent football, raced into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Forwards Raymond Magee, Ned Kearney and Ollie Murphy notched some excellent points and they deservedly led by 0-10 to 0-5 at halftime.

Westmeath fared much better in the third quarter and with Thomas Cleary, David Martin and Michael O'Reilly picking off the points, the Meath lead was reduced to 0-11 to 0-9 by the 43rd minute.

The winners, playing a more direct style of football, stretched their advantage to five points but again a battling Westmeath team replied with three points.

Indeed, full-forward Kenny Lyons was unfortunate to blast the ball over the bar from just six metres out, with only goalkeeper Conor Martin to beat.

Meath accepted that let-off and, in typical fashion, they piled on the pressure in the remaining minutes.

Evan Kelly got a crucial goal for them in the 56th minute. Then a brace of points from Ned Kearney and a goal a minute from time from substitute Leo Reilly ensured a second successive league win for Sean Boylan's men.