Football League Division Two: Armagh 0-10 1-17 Monaghan

Jamie Clarke and Fintan Kelly

Monaghan ran out 10-point winners over Ulster rivals Armagh in their Division Two game at the Athletic Grounds.

Monaghan raced into a 0-9 to 0-0 lead but the Orchard county recovered to trail 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time.

Armagh managed to get within a point of the visitors but the Farney County responded by scoring 1-6 without reply, culminating in Darren Hughes's goal.

Their victory sees Armagh join Donegal on seven points at the top of the Division ahead of Sunday's action.

Paul Grimley's side went into the game boosted by wins over Meath and Laois in their previous two matches while Monaghan had comfortably seen off Louth last time out.

The match began in one-sided fashion as points from Jack McCarron (3), Padraig Donaghy, Conor McManus, Kieran Hughes and Dessie Mone gave Monaghan a seven-point lead after 14 minutes.

Further woe followed for Armagh as Jamie Clarke saw Rory Beggan push his penalty onto the post after Stefan Campbell had been brought down.

McManus and Owen Lennon extended their side's advantage, before Brian Mallon registered the home side's first point in the 22nd minute.

Clarke (2), Stephen Harold, Caolan Rafferty and Tony Kernan pointed before the break to bring Armagh back into the game, with McManus adding his third point.

Eugene McVerry scored two points in the second half and Clarke and Rafferty one apiece to see their team move to within a point.

However McManus added another four points to his tally and McCarron three to put Monaghan in control.

Hughes's last-gasp goal made it an ultimately comfortable victory for Malachy O'Rourke's outfit.

Saturday night Division Two results

Armagh 0-10 1-17 Monaghan

Laois 1-09 0-15 Meath