Patrick McBrearty late show downs Armagh as Donegal secure Division 1 status in Allianz Football League

A last-gasp point from Patrick McBrearty gave Donegal their first win at O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny in seven outings at the venue and also secured their Division 1 status for next season.

Donegal should have been well ahead at the break but Armagh bared their teeth in the second half to make it a real contest.

In the glorious sunshine the 5,650 attendance were treated to exhibition football with Armagh fielding a somewhat understrength side.

Donegal were the dominant side in the half and by the break they were not flattered by their five point lead - 1-10 to 1-05.

It surely would have been even more comfortable for the home side but for giving away a goal three minutes from the break when goalkeeper Shaun Patton opted to fist clear when he could have caught the ball.

Armagh picked up the clearance and Aidan Nugent was on the end of the move to palm home.

While Armagh had the opening point from a Jason Duffy forward mark, scores from Jamie Brennan (2) and Michael Murphy had Donegal in control.

Aidan Nugent and Patrick McBrearty traded frees before Jamie Brennan and Ryan McHugh sent Jason McGee through to fire home the opening goal.

McBrearty and Murphy kept the Donegal scoreboard ticking while Andrew Mornin and Nugent kept Armagh in touch.

After the Nugent goal for Armagh, Donegal finished the half on the front foot with a Michael Murphy '45 and a Patrick McBrearty free.

The intensity was much greater at the start of the second half with Armagh introducing Rian O'Neill and Rory Grugan while Neil McGee was yellow-carded after only a minute on the field as a temporary substitute.

Tiernan Kelly and Nugent had points which were cancelled by a great Michael Murphy effort while falling and a McBrearty free.

Donegal had the chance to put