Meath and Down both off the mark in Division 2 after draw in Navan

Jordan Morris struck what proved to be the levelling score as Meath fought back to draw with Down, securing their first point of the Division 2 campaign.

In a game dominated - and at times ruined - by a gale force wind, Down moved three points clear at half-time having played with the elements behind them and then clung on for what is also their first point of the campaign.

A draw suited neither team as both camps had earmarked this as a must win game after back to back defeats in Rounds 1 and 2.

Pat Havern struck 1-03 for Down while Andrew Gilmore contributed 1-02 though all of their scores came in the first-half with Meath outscoring James McCartan's side by 0-03 to 0-00 in the second-half.

Down will probably kick themselves for not finishing this one off as Caolan Mooney had two great chances to win it at the death.

He had the ball whipped off his toe by Padraic Harnan as he lined up a shot at goal in the 68th minute and then in the last play of the game fisted a ball off the crossbar.

Meath had an opportunity to win it too but Morris' attempt at goal from a free on the right ended up being caught by the wind and, bizarrely, going out for a sideline kick just yards away from him.

The Royals will chase their first win of the league when they travel to Offaly next weekend while Down will host Roscommon.

This must have felt like Groundhog Day for Meath who played into a stiff headwind in the first-half for the third game running.

They were beaten by half-time against Galway in Salthill and trailed Roscommon by nine points at the break in Round 2 so staying in touch with Down initially was imperative this time.

The early signs were positive for the hosts who played with plenty of urgency and moved 1-02 to 0-03 clear when