Colm Fadden attempts a run despite Colin Holmes' best efforts

Donegal missed goal chances and Tyrone led 0-5 to 0-3 at the end of a half delayed by Aidan McCarron being taken to hospital with suspected concussion.

Tyrone moved three ahead (0-7 to 0-4) but Donegal hit seven of the next eight scores to lead 0-11 to 0-8.

The Red Hands produced a late rally but Colm McFadden's six points helped Donegal hold on to earn a deserved win.

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Brian McGuigan's anticipated return to Tyrone colours after injury did not materialise with Mickey Harte opting not to risk the Ardboe man in the heavy underfoot conditions at Ballyshannon.

Christy Toye and the lively Brian Roper missed early goal chances although the latter did have the consolation of claiming a point with his close-range chance.

After Kevin McNally had levelled for Tyrone, Ryan Bradley then blazed another glorious Donegal chance over the bar and Roper wasted another opportunity by hitting another great opportunity across the face of goal in the 15th minute.

Tyrone's young team finally began to look the part midway through the opening period and they hit four unanswered points to lead 0-5 to 0-2 with Cathal McCarron slotting three scores and Shaun O'Neill also on target.

Aidan McCarron is stretchered into an ambulance at Ballyshannon

However the Red Hands suffered a blow before the break when Aidan McCarron had to be taken to hospital by ambulance after appearing to sustain a head injury.

McCarron suffered concussion and a twisted neck but he was released from hospital late on Sunday night and could return to training later in the week.

After leading 0-5 to 0-3 at the interval, two Tommy McGuigan scores helped Tyrone move into a 0-7 to 0-4 lead after 42 minutes.

However, Donegal's more direct play was starting to cause problems in the Tyrone defence and two McFadden efforts, split by a fisted Ryan Bradley effort, levelled matters by the 51st minute.

After Shaun O'Neill had missed a Tyrone goal chance, Gary Reilly did restore the Red Hand advantage but Donegal replied with four successive points to lead 0-11 to 0-8 after 58 minutes with McFadden (two), Roper and David Walsh on target.

Donegal led 0-12 to 0-9 after 62 minutes but Tyrone had the better of the closing stages.

Cathal McCarron hit the final two scores of the game and Donegal goalkeeper Paul Durcan needed to make a superb late catch to field a dangerous high ball from Colm McCullagh in the final play of the game.

The result leaves Tyrone on two points from their three games while Donegal still have qualification hopes with their final game against Down to follow.