Eoin McCartan is challenged by Cavan's Eddie Reilly and Paul Brady

Despite the first half dismissal of Michael Higgins, Down seemed to set for victory when they led by four points midway through the second period.

However, Jason O'Reilly's goal turned the game and Down needed John Clarke's late point to ensure a draw.

Benny Coulter's 24th minute goal helped Down to a 1-7 to 0-8 half-time lead.

Liam Doyle opened the scoring for Down with a free from 35 metres in the opening minute but Ger Pierson replied almost immediately with a fine effort from play after a flowing move.

Cavan looked the better side in the opening quarter with forwards Michael Lyng, Gerard Pierson, Sean Johnston and Jason O'Reilly all looking sharp.

All four men had got on the scoresheet in the opening 23 minutes as Cavan led 0-5 to 0-4.

The match then witnessed a crucial two minutes with the Breffnimen wasting a goal chance with Pierson failing to avail of the overlapping Johnston after Gregory McCartan had been robbed in his own half-back line.

Cavan's missed chance was punished two minutes later when the excellent Benny Coulter finished gloriously to the net after he had waltzed through the Breffni defence.

Late in the first half, corner-back Higgins was sent off for his second yellow card after a stupid high challenge on Sean Johnston.

Eamon Coleman and Martin McElkennon's side have another chance

Despite the loss of Higgins, Down made the better start to the second half with Daniel Hughes hitting three quickfire scores from play with Lyng's free the only response.

Hughes' brilliant second half form then continued when he swung over another majestic point to increase Down's lead to four.

Hopes of a Cavan revival weren't helped 12 minutes from time when an apparently legitimate point by Pierson was waved wide.

However, within a minute there was only a point between the teams when Jason O'Reilly somehow scrambled the ball over the line after Down had carelessly lost possession in their own half-back line.

With Down looking rattled, Cavan were level with 10 minutes of normal time left with the unmarked Lyng slotting over from 21 metres.

Lyng then missed a difficult free-taking chance to put Cavan ahead but with six minutes left, the youngster cut inside from the right touchline and took the right option in fisting over the bar.

However, Down broke out of their out half to win a free and Benny Coulter rose high in the square to fist a levelling point.

Gerard Pierson appeared to have scored the winner after Michael Lyng had taken a clever short free as the match entered injury-time.

But in the fourth minute of added time, Down showed admirable composure to work the ball deep into Cavan territory and Clarke ensured the replay with the last kick of the game.

Down: M McVeigh, M Higgins, A Molloy, A Scullion, J Clarke (0-1), M Cole, S Farrell, B Coulter (1-3), G McCartan, L Doyle (0-4), Shane Ward, R Sexton (0-1), D Hughes (0-4), D Gordon, E McCartan.

Cavan: E Elliott, E Reilly, D Rabbit, P Brady, A Forde, T Crowe, A Gaynor, P McKenna, C Collins, L Reilly (0-1), M Lyng (0-6), M McKeever, G Pierson (0-3), J O'Reilly (1-2), S Johnston (0-1).

Sunday's GAA fixtures