A crowd of over 2,000 watched as Louth dominated the opening half, with late inclusions Paddy Keenan and Shane Lennon both making an impact.

The Royals were sluggish and fell 0-8 to 0-2 behind by half-time with Joe Sheridan, the best of their forwards, and Damien Carroll, who scored with a fisted effort, landing their only points.

Keenan and Lennon (0-2) were among the early scorers for Louth as they established a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the quarter hour mark. Midfielder James Califf (0-2), Eoin O'Connor and Brian White added further points before the break.

Louth goalkeeper Neil Gallagher did very well to deny Peadar Byrne in what was the only real goal-scoring opportunity of the opening 35 minutes.

Meath got their shooting boots on for the second period and after Keenan fired wide when a goal was on the cards, Carroll ended a 22-minute scoreless spell for Mick O'Dowd's men.

Young wing back Stephen Crosby roamed forward to add to Meath's tally and further efforts from Paddy O'Rourke and Eoghan Harrington shaved the gap down to 0-8 to 0-6.

Lennon replied for Louth on the hour mark before Crosby broke through to complete his brace at the other end. However, Meath's shooting let them down again when goalkeeper O'Rourke kicked wides from a free and a '45' and Sheridan blasted a goal chance into the side-netting.

Sean Curran punched the ball over to make it 0-9 to 0-8 and then Meath won a penalty when Sheridan was fouled. But Gallagher made a terrific double save as Carroll failed to convert the place-kick.

Lennon popped over an injury-time free which looked to be the match-winning point until substitute Paddy Gilsenan rattled the net with the game's only goal.

There was yet more drama as Louth set up McEneaney for the levelling score right at the death. The result leaves Louth at the group's summit thanks to a superior scoring difference (+5 against +2).

Second-placed Meath host UCD in their final group game in Navan on Sunday afternoon (throw-in 2pm), while Longford will be Louth's visitors in Drogheda.