Monaghan have ended Armagh’s winning streak in Allianz football league division one as the sides drew 1-7 to 0-10 at the Athletic Grounds.
Seamus McEnaney’s side led 0-8 to 0-4 at the break and held on for a draw despite being reduced to 14 players during the second-half.
Monaghan started better and were two points up inside the opening quarter before a pointed free by Rian O’Neill made it a one-point game on 19 minutes.
Armagh would fail to score for another 16 minutes while points from Jack McCarron, Killian Lavelle and Shane Carey saw Monaghan move four points clear by the half-hour mark.
Jason Duffy ended Armagh’s scoring drought on 35 minutes before two quick-fire scores from Conor McManus helped Monaghan a four-point buffer at the break.
Four minutes after the restart, McManus opened Monaghan’s second-half account only to be given his marching orders two minutes later when he was shown a straight red card.
Armagh were awarded a penalty on 50 minutes when Rory Grugan was pulled down inside the Monaghan goalmouth; up stepped Riain O’Neill who’s effort came crashing off the upright.
O’Neill tried his luck again from the rebound but was denied by Rory Beggan and Monaghan subsequently cleared the ball out of the danger zone.
Monaghan’s relief was short-lived as Conor Turbitt found the net on 53 minutes before points from Stefan Campell and Oisin O’Neill made it a level game seven minutes later.
Armagh took the lead for the first time with nine minutes remaining through Tiernan Kelly only for his effort to be cancelled out by Jack McCarron in the final minute of normal time.
Both sides went in search of an equaliser but there was none forthcoming as Monaghan were made to settle for a draw for the second time in three games.
