IT WAS Third versus Fourth Division MDL in this first round Challenge Cup tie. And, as might have been expected, it was the team with the higher league pedigree that took the spoils.

The first half belonged to St Laurence's - they were two up inside twenty minutes. The opening goal came from a slipup by the Mosney goal-minder Katete, who misjudged the flight of what should have been a routine catch, and the ball sailed over his head into the back of the net.

Less than ten minutes after Mosney found themselves further behind. This time cutting from the left, the St Laurence's winger floated a speculative cross to the far post where the striker ghosted in unmarked to tap home.

Indeed, it could have been worse for the East-Meath brigade. A St Laurence's striker rounded a stranded Katete and had simply to prod the ball into an empty net but somehow the Mosney No1 got back to smother the ball.

Surviving such a let-off lifted Mosney and, following some tactical adjustments, they came out a different team in the second half. St Laurence's eventually cracked under a consistent barrage of Mosney pressure and on 55 minutes the Meath outfit were back in it.

The introduction of super sub Nwankuwo immediately paid dividends. He had been causing problems since his arrival and cutting inside from the left he let one go from the edge of the box to give Mosney a chance.

Some controversial refereeing decisions then left Mosney feeling hard-done-by. Williams set Nwankuwo free again but play was called back for offside. Sibinda went down in the box shortly thereafter but the referee waved play on.

Ironically, it was a successful penalty appeal that sealed it for St Laurence's. 3-1 down and with time against them, Mosney could find no way back. Azizi shaved the base of the post with a header near the whistle, but it would have been scant consolation for the East coast side.

Jeff Katete, Osman Manous, Anu Beshir, Omar Sharif, Tikiele Buma, Oscar Sibinda, Marko Savic, Conley Williams, Paul Matinga, Tunde Ajalla, Razwan Azizi. subs: Obinna C Nwankuwo for M Savic. last Friday's challenge Cup match.

United started poorly and it took them a while to get to grips with the conditions in a game played under lights, away at Castle Villa's ground. Late on in the opening half however, Newtown were starting to show signs of a recovery and Pauric Young went close as the clock ticked down to half-time.

This proved something of a false dawn and United slipped behind around the 60th minute. Bad defending allowed the Villa striker to cut in from the right and he fired rightfooted past Trevor Dardis to open the scoring.

Stung into action, Newtown continued to press the home side and Luke Halpenny and Patrick Farrelly were both denied late on. In the meantime Castle Villa had doubled their advantage. As Newtown pushed forward they were leaving spaces at the back and, caught on the break with ten minutes remaining, they were forced into conceding a penalty. Villa converted to secure a second round date.

Best for Newtown on a disappointing day were Pauric Young, Alan Curran, while Paddy Farrelly worked hard all afternoon.

Trevor Dardis, Michael Sweeney, Mark Dardis, James Farrelly, Andrew White, Roy White, Alan Curran, Pauric Young, Patrick Farrelly, Luke Halpenny, Shane Farrelly. subs: Jason Carolan for S Farrelly, Sean Weldon for M Sweeney. for Albion and Donal representing Rossin. In a cup game there could be only one winner, and Fra was the happier of the pair at the referee's whistle.

In fairness, Rossin knew they would be up against it. Albion may currently be languishing at the foot of the Premier league table but they have recently been returned to full squad strength, following the close of the GAA season. Their superior class told in the end.

As if to highlight this fact, as early as the first minute Rossin had a chance to score. Brian Connolly's effort was scuppered however, and Rovers marched right back downfield to earn a penalty - duly dispatched by Lee Wright - for the first of his afternoon's tally.

He got in for his second goal before the break. Eamonn Griffin nicked the ball off the Rossin defense when they should have cleared their lines and his whipped cross was met by the incoming Wright. There was very little Declan Kearns between the Rossin sticks could do about it. The third hammerblow came midway through the second half after a another defensive mistake was ruthlessly punished and Wright had a hat-trick. In fact, that is eight in three games now for the in-form striker.

Albion enjoyed the lion's share of possession but scoring opportunities were more equally divided. Both keepers were busy before Shane Coyle finally broke through to make his mark on the scoreboard. Rossin also had a penalty appeal turned down but 3-1 was accepted as a fair result.

Best for Rossin were Coyle, Keith Harding and Declan Kearns. Wright, Rooney and Welsh were best for the winners, while stand-in Albion keeper Gerard Culligan had an excellent ninety minutes.

Declan Kearns, Keith O'Brien, Alan Gildea, Donal McCullough, Keith Harding, Rory Crinion, Keith Lynch, Damien Carolan, Brian Connolly, Shane Coyle, Willie Clarke. subs: Declan Mullen for B Connolly, Neil Smith for D Carolan, Peter Lawlor for W Clark.

Gerard Culligan, David Bracken, Chris Culligan, JP Rooney, Stephen Smith, Ronan Guillard, Paddy Conor, Jamie Welsh, Bernard Osborne, Eamonn Griffin, Lee Wright. subs: Fra McCullough for D Bracken, Colin Kierans for S Smith, Craig Connor, Barry Smith. THEY left it very late, but Square just managed to dispose of South Meath Division Two side Summerhill after a titantic struggle in Ardee. Celtic pushed the Louthmen all the way and it took an Eamonn Callaghan screamer to seal victory at the final throw of the dice.

It was a lacklustre performance from the MDL Premier Division outfit - they have found it tough to put sides from the lower leagues away in the past. Nevertheless they went in one up at the break when Fabio Teles collected a byline cross and fired home from 12 yards.

Naturally, Square looked to build on that in the second period, but they were dragged back to level pegging before a 20 yard Alan Kirk freekick gave them the advantage once again midway through the half. It was 2-2 on 80 minutes and that's how the ninety played out as extra-time beckoned. Reduced to ten men late in normal time, Summerhill faced an uphill struggle. Square tried to take advantage but, in the end, it took Callaghan's right-foot rocket to carry them over the line.

The goal came in the second period of added time and was worthy of winning any cup-tie, hitting the top left-hand corner from all of 30 yards. Soon after, Callaghan's celebrations were cut short as he found himself sent to the line for retaliation, but his team-mates held out for the win. Best for Square on the day were Fergal Diamond and Alan Balfe.

Peter Duffy, Fergal Diamond, Paudi Clarke, Robert Leavy, Alan McKenny, Colin Thorn, Andy Rogers, Eamonn Callaghan, Alan Balfe, Fabio Teles, Alan Kirk. subs: James Clarke for C Thorn, Donal Matthews for A Rogers, David Woods for F Teles. IN what was far and away the shock of the round, lowly BMC - struggling near the bottom of MDL Division Two - showed Premier Division highfliers Duleek the exit door as they marched into the second round draw. Duleek - winners of this competition in 2006 - saw their challenge extinguished by goals from Peter Fox and Joe Melia, and must now console themselves by maintaining their continuing good progress in the league. Nevertheless, this result must sting though. 21 to the unfancied BMC. • MDL Division Four outfit Boyne Athletic bowed out of the Challenge Cup 4-0 to Clones Town, mid-table in Division One. Meanwhile in the league, Donacarney went down 5-2 in their Division Three clash with Kingscourt.