An early goal for Down saw Donegal chase this National League game for the entire afternoon in Newry.
Donegal can look to squandered chances after they hit more than a dozen wides.
But take nothing from Down because they fought tooth and nail to keep their noses in front.
Both Neil Gallagher and Colm McFadden grabbed late points to push the margin to just two points as the clock ticked down.
And despite going in search of what would have been a winning goal, Down hung on to win by 1-09 to 0-10.
Niall Muldine inflicted the early goal on Donegal after an initial save by Paul Durcan amid a sea of Down players.
Donegal’s slow start was evident on the scoreboard with just two points after 22 minutes.
The sides continued to swap points but Down went in the much happier at half-time on a scoreline of 1-06 to 0-05.
Often lauded as a second-half team, Donegal just couldn’t shake off their inability to punish Down.
Down stood strong in defence despite probing attacks form the likes of David Walsh and Christy Toye.
Mark McHugh, Toye and Michael Murphy were all guilty of squandering chances on the day.
Down did their homework and did enough to snuff out the threat of Murphy and co up front.
On a day when Donegal left their shooting boots at home, Down can feel they did enough to earn the two points.
* Cathal MacSuibhne’s overview of the game will be posted shortly.
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